LILONGWE, Friday 9 October 2026 — The Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Malawi and Standard Bank today unveiled plans for the 2026 Malawi Creative Economy and Investment Forum, a national platform designed to help turn Malawi’s creative talent into sustainable businesses, jobs and economic opportunities.

Scheduled for 25^th to 27^th November 2026 at the Bingu International Convention Centre in Lilongwe, the Forum will bring together creative entrepreneurs, investors, financial institutions, buyers, policymakers and industry practitioners from Malawi and across Africa under the theme: “Repositioning Malawi’s creative economy for investment, jobs and economic growth”.

Malawi’s musicians, filmmakers, fashion designers and other creatives face barriers that make it difficult to earn a sustainable living from their talent. These include limited access to suitable finance and equipment, gaps in business skills, weak distribution networks and difficulties earning income from intellectual property. The Forum is designed to address these challenges through practical support, business connections and policy dialogue.

“Malawi’s creative talent can contribute to jobs, business growth and the promotion of our culture. We want this Forum to help identify what is holding creatives back and agree on practical steps that public institutions, businesses and the sector can take together,” said the Principal Secretary for Youth, Sports and Culture, Mr. Jameson Ndalama.

The programme is organised around four pillars: Create, Protect, Grow and Invest. Dedicated Film, Fashion and Music tracks will be complemented by discussions and activities relevant to digital content, visual arts, crafts, cultural heritage, gaming and animation.

Planned activities include business masterclasses, copyright and licensing clinics, exhibitions and meetings with potential buyers and partners. Participants will explore opportunities for financing, distribution, co-production and access to regional markets, alongside the business use of artificial intelligence and digital technologies.

“A creative entrepreneur needs opportunities to earn from their work, reach customers and build a business that can last. Through this Forum, we want to bring creatives together with people and institutions that can help them protect their ideas, strengthen their businesses and pursue new markets,” said UNDP Deputy Resident Representative, Dr. Chika Charles Aniekwe.

One of the flagship partners for this forum is Standard Bank. The private sector partner has a keen interest in supporting Malawi’s youth and driving the growth of the creative industries. 

“As a Bank, we are committed to driving Malawi's growth, and we recognise that some of the country's greatest untapped opportunities lie within our young people. Through this partnership with UNDP and other initiatives the Bank has embarked on, we are putting Malawi’s youth and the creative industries at the forefront of the development agenda,” said Chief Financial and Value Management Officer, Mr. John Mhone. 

The unveiling begins a series of engagements ahead of November. A technical session with Controlling Officers and key institutions is planned for 14 October 2026 to examine sector constraints and develop proposed actions. 

A ministerial session planned for 11 November 2026 will seek direction and institutional commitments on priority issues.

The Forum’s intended results include stronger business skills, financing and buyer leads, new partnerships and a policy action agenda with clear responsibilities. Follow-up is planned through May 2027 to track progress on commercial opportunities and agreed actions.

Creatives, investors, buyers and prospective partners are invited to contact the Forum Secretariat to express interest and obtain information on participation. Application procedures and deadlines will be communicated through official channels.

For Media enquiries                                              

Tamanda Ng’ombe, Standard Bank, Head of Brand and Marketing  

Email: Tamanda.Ngombe@standardbank.co.mw   Telephone: +265 (0) 883 967 550 

Blessings Samuel Phumisa, Communications Analyst, UNDP Malawi

Email: blessings.samuel@undp.org  Telephone: +265 (0) 888 301 039 

Macmillan Mwale, Public Relations Officer, Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture

Email: macmillan.mwale@moysc.gov.mw Telephone: +265 (0) 888 633 803