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 LUANAR’S CREATIVE CONFERENCE UNITES MALAWI’S YOUNG INNOVATORS AND CREATORS





















(Photographs by Bunda Campus Publications...).
By Trevor Khwalala

A wave of inspiration swept through Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR) on Saturday, November 8, 2025, as young innovators, content creators, designers, and entrepreneurs converged for the Creative Conference, an event organized by Joshua Chagwa, Director of Publications under the Bunda Students Union (BSU).

The daylong event, moderated by Rachael Mbela, brought together some of Malawi’s emerging and established creatives and LUANAR students to share experiences, strategies, and insights under the theme “Bringing High-Impact Learning Experiences with Malawi’s Finest Creatives and Innovators.”

Among the key speakers were Ekarhi Faria, Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of InspireX; Praise Malunjika, a Brand Strategist; Favour Mkombe, Founder of Fav Designs and student; Neema Soko, a young entrepreneur and student; and the General Manager of Converged Technology Networks (CTN).

Before the keynote sessions began, three female innovators presented a technology designed to improve oxygen circulation in fish aquariums. The prototype, powered by a phone power bank, demonstrated how oxygen can be drawn from the atmosphere and transferred into the water system used for fish cultivation.

Following the demonstration, Ekarhi Faria opened the speaker sessions, sharing how his passion for graphic design evolved from a school hobby into a thriving career. He urged young people to discover and nurture their talents, stressing that the future belongs to those who use their gifts to solve real-world problems.

“If you are afraid to fail, you are already afraid,” Faria said. “Failure is not the end—it’s preparation. You don’t succeed by surprise; if you do, you’ll fail by surprise.”

Faria, who founded InspireX in 2023, explained that his initiative focuses not only on branding but also on community impact and skill-building for youth. He revealed future plans to launch a mobile digital platform to teach young people creative and tech-based skills.

Neema Soko, a 21-year-old student pursuing a BSc in Forestry at LUANAR, the General Secretary for the Bunda Forest Association, and the founder of Nee’s Aesthetics, shared her journey of venturing into an online business at 18 and growing it into a profitable enterprise.

“Use your phone and social media wisely,” she advised. “I started by posting products I didn’t own, but consistency taught me how to create my own brand.” She continued, “There is no other best time to start; the best time to start is now!” Reflecting on her current topic, “The Best Time to Start”, she’s teaching other people interested in entrepreneurship on social media forums.

Soko manages multiple WhatsApp business groups, with each accommodating over 1000 participants and a local shop. She revealed her plans of expanding her operations near LUANAR’s Bunda Campus in Lilongwe by opening a second shop. “Right now, I can pay my rental fee without external support and support my siblings,” she concluded.

Speaking on building a personal brand, Favour Mkombe, a final-year food science and technology student, highlighted the role of identity, visibility, and consistency in building a strong professional image.

“Talent gets attention, but branding builds trust,” Mkombe told participants, encouraging them to use platforms like LinkedIn to grow their professional presence.

Meanwhile, Praise Malunjika discussed creative block, identifying imposter syndrome, burnout, and multitasking as common challenges to creativity. He recommended setting goals, taking intentional breaks, and using platforms like Pinterest and Behance for inspiration.

Convergence Technology Networks (CTN) offered free unlimited WIFI, which made the session enjoyable for the participants. It is an internet service provider designed to fill Malawi's unmet need for broadband internet connections in homes. As part of their school connectivity projects, the general manager revealed plans to provide students with unlimited internet at a very low cost of K700 and a high cost of no more than K10,000, which would benefit both students and teachers.

The Creative Conference marked a milestone for LUANAR’s creative community, reinforcing the connection between creativity and entrepreneurship. Organizers described the event as the beginning of a new wave of innovation and collaboration among Malawi’s youth.



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