The Tikankheni Artisan Empowerment Project will upskill 80 trainees from existing businesses in the Lilongwe rural area of Malawi. Our trainees are likely to have acquired their trades from family or friends and to have established relatively small or micro enterprises without any formal technical training or business knowledge.
In this project with Foundation for Education and Social Development (FESODEV), trainees will receive targeted vocational training to building on existing skills and will be introduced to business administration and management concepts to help them grow their businesses, reach more customers and increase their earning potential.
Malawi remains one of the least developed countries in the world, ranking 170 out of 188 on the Human Development Index. Over 70% of the population live below the income poverty line. There is an estimated 18% of young people underemployed – 21% women and 16% men, and almost a third of potential employment falling within the informal sector. Malawi’s economy has been heavily impacted by the coronavirus pandemic and according to a new World Bank survey of 1,200 small businesses, two-thirds report a decrease in sales compared to a year earlier, a fall driven by an increase in costs for inputs. (The World Bank Dec 22)
In peri-urban communities it is common for individuals to learn a trade through family, friends or neighbours rather than through formal education. Artisans may have a good basic understanding of their trade, but lack business skills and the advanced technical knowledge they need to be successful in a competitive market. For these relatively small or micro enterprises, the effects of Covid and global inflation can have a massive impact on businesses, and many find themselves unable to weather the increased cost of raw materials.
Tikankheni means “help us to go forward.” Our project with FESODEV will work with businesses in the Luwela Traditional Authority, Chimutu, Lilongwe rural area who are continuing to trade in spite of these challenges. 80 individuals will be selected from the catchment area, with focus on the communities of Luwela, M’gubo, Kawale and Kanengo. Participants will be selected to represent the following trades, which consultation with local communities has identified as being sustainable and potentially lucrative in a crowded market space:
Tailors on our recent Business Development project with FESODEV
Vocational training: Training will be delivered within the artisans’ communities, at the workshops of a master trainer who is already running a successful business in the relevant trade. Participants will be supported to deliver a better finish, create new designs, work with greater efficiency, and be responsive to local market demands. Vocational training will be assessed and certified by the Technical, Entrepreneurial, Vocational and Education Training Authority (TEVETA).
Business skills: For many trainees, this will be the first time they have received any formal business training and the syllabus will tailored accordingly to respond to individual needs. Topics will include bookkeeping, client record management and marketing, ensure participants can document their business income and expenditure and build their client base. Where appropriate, trainees will be encouraged to formalise their business through registration as this also opens up opportunities for bigger contracts.
VSLA training: Trainees will spend 3 weeks learning how to form and administrate their own Village Savings & Loans (VSLA) group, a savings and investment concept which allows trainees to make weekly deposits and borrow funds to invest in their businesses.
Literacy, numeracy and SRHR training: Literacy and numeracy training will be available for trainees with insufficient schooling, and all trainees will receive training in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) to ensure they are equipped to make informed decisions when forming relationships and planning for their futures.
Tool provision: Trainees will each receive a high-quality tool kit to take back to their business, to help speed up and increase the quality of the work produced.
The success of trainees’ businesses relies on their relationships with their local communities. This project is designed to contribute services to the hosting community, and create opportunities for trainees to showcase their skills and attract future clients. Tailoring and Fashion design students will produce school uniforms and reusable sanitary pads for 40 students in a nearby school. Carpentry and joinery trainees will help in the repair of 50 school desks. Welding and fabrication trainees will produce door protectors for the local school. Hairdressing and cosmetology trainees will demonstrate hair and makeup application to older pupils who are considering their own career opportunities. Participation in Community Display Week will give the trainees further opportunity to showcase their products and services.
The goal of the project is for the trainees’ businesses to grow and become more competitive. Participant households will benefit from an improved regular and sustainable income source leading to improved living standards, educational opportunities and well- being with increased health awareness, helping disease prevention and allow them to make more informed decisions. In return, the local community will have increased work opportunities and a better range of/ access to goods and services thus stimulating the local economy.
Recent project outcomesOur Kuomboka Business Development project upskilled 80 artisans between November 2023 -October 2024. Comparison of data at the start and end of the project showed a consistent increase in business income, customer base and savings capacity for all the trainees. At the end of the project, 97% trainees reported earning more than double the international poverty line (approximately £35 per month), and 27% trainees earned more than £90 per month.
Most of our graduates also reported increased confidence, wellbeing and community participation indices, improving personal wellbeing and having a positive influence on accessing new customers.
We see many businesses take on new members, often welcoming interns to meet their increased product demand.
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April 2025
