Malawi’s young innovators lead the way in tackling climate change
“I want to take part in mitigating climate change induced disasters,” Joseph
Fifteen-year-old Joseph Yohane, a Standard Eight learner at Nyamithuthu Primary School in Nsanje, southern Malawi, knows first-hand the devastating effects of climate change. His school has been repeatedly affected by floods, and his family’s crops were washed away in 2023 by the Cyclone Freddy caused.
Now, thanks to a climate education and innovation programme implemented by the Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST) with funding from the United Kingdom National Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK), Joseph is not only learning about the causes of climate change, but he is also building solutions to address it.
“I want to take part in mitigating climate change induced disasters,” says Joseph. “We have experienced floods and dry spells here in Nsanje. I want to help reduce these disasters and protect our future.”
Joseph is a member of the Mtondo Youth Club and one of many young people participating in the Climate Education, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Incubation Programme, led by MUST’s African Drone and Data Academy (ADDA) Incubation Unit.
Through this initiative, children and youth from diverse backgrounds are trained to understand climate issues, and are supported to develop practical community-driven solutions.
Together with his teammates, Thokozani Chalo and Emma Bridge, Joseph developed a prototype that proposes the use of drones to plant trees in hard-to-reach areas.
Their innovation also integrates smart agriculture techniques, climate mapping and community message dissemination to improve climate resilience.
“We believe reforestation is key in tackling climate change,” Joseph explains. “And drones can help us plant trees in places that are too difficult for people to reach.”
The impact of the climate crisis is personal for Joseph. His father, Joseph M'bisa, a carpenter, says their family was hard-hit by the impact of Cyclone Freddy.
“We lost all our crops when the floods came,” he says. “But I am proud to see my son finding ways to help prevent this kind of loss in the future. I hope these technologies can bring change.”
Joseph is already thinking about how he can combine his dream of becoming a doctor with environmental innovation.
“My father uses wood, but I want to explore using alternative materials like metal to reduce deforestation. This programme is giving me the tools to learn and act,” he says.
According to Ndapile Mkuwu, Project Manager for the ADDA Incubation Unit at MUST, the programme is designed to empower children and youth to become climate leaders.
“We want young people to understand climate change and be part of the solution,” she says. “The programme supports both high-tech and low-tech innovations, and ensures young people have access to mentorship, design tools and information that help bring their ideas to life.”
Working in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth in Malawi, the programme identifies participants through local youth clubs and provides hands-on training in engineering design, problem-solving and community outreach.
With this support, young people like Joseph are exploring possibilities to turn their dreams into practical, local solutions. From drone powered tree planting to awareness campaigns and smart farming, the children are stepping up, not just to learn, but to lead with technology in the face of climate change.
