About the Programme
Emerge Livelihoods, then Mzuzu Entrepreneur Hub in collaboration with Life Concern, implemented the Kukolola Project under the Muzi Ecosystem Initiative, with funding from the German Development Cooperation – Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) Malawi, through GOPA-AFC GmbH. The project was implemented under the More Income and Employment in Rural Areas (MIERA II) project from November 2023 to October 2024.
The Kukolola Project was designed to accelerate job creation and livelihood transformation through agricultural enterprise advancement in Rumphi District. At its core, the project targeted 50 young women and men to advance agribusiness innovations and unlock economic opportunities. Emerge Livelihoods in collaboration with Life Concern designed the project to provide access to information and business support services through digital technology platforms including the Biz Learn App and Kukolola Whatsapp Chatbot, awareness and sensitization campaigns and a bespoke incubation program for young men and women in Rumphi district.
A total of 50 enterprises were recruited and incubated to enhance their business operations and investment readiness. The program impact areas included: reduced the risks associated with early-stage ventures by providing mentorship, technical assistance, and strategic guidance. In addition, Emerge Livelihoods improved participants’ access to markets, finance, and agricultural innovations to amplify growth potential of their enterprises and creating pathways to long-term sustainability.
Program Benefits
Training
Participants underwent intensive enterprise capacity building
Mentorship
Provision of access to industry experts’ advice and guidance
Networking and partnerships
Platform to build connections and create partnerships and networks with other key players in the industry including Kukolola Expo.
Market linkages
Created market leads with community around and other market leaders such as ADMARC, Food and Agriculture Organisation, AGCOM, NASFAM and SPRODETA
Access to Finance Clinics
One on one engagements with financial experts on access to financing for MSMEs.
Program Eligibility
The eligibility criteria for the program included :
- Owning an early-stage enterprise in Agriculture and operational for not more than three years
- Aged between 18-35 years
- Based or running an enterprise based in Rumphi District.
- Worked directly with small holder farmers/cooperatives.
- Passionate about livelihood transformation, job creation and environmental sustainability/green growth
- Young women and differently abled people.
impact
- A total of 125 applications were received (82 males and 43 females)
- 50 youth led enterprises (21 females and 29 males) completed incubation program
- 96.7% of enterprises were operational beyond project end
- 80% of the incubated enterprises increased customer base
- 80% of the incubated enterprises reported monthly revenues increase
- 86.7% of enterprises created job opportunities
- 343 prompts on Whatsapp Chatbot
