In a bid to move in line with countries that have made more ground in the development of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), the African Drone and Data Academy (ADDA), an innovation department under the Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST) has introduced a mobile training programme targeting young innovators aged 12 to 17.
The mobile training programme will, among others, allow ADDA to train young people from Thyolo and Mulanje districts who have shown potential to become top innovators.
According to Rachel Sibale, ADDA’s Climate Incubation Lead, the initiative will enable them to deliver trainings directly in schools across the two districts.
“Previously, ADDA would wait for schools to go on holiday to deliver this training, which created challenges, but the new approach will allow us to combine learner’s other academic work with ours,” she said.
Sibale said the new approach, which rolled out in November 2025, will benefit dozens of learners.
“So, we believe learners from Thyolo and Mulanje districts aged between 12 to 17 will now have nothing to complain about because this initiative suits them,” said Sibale.
ADDA has since started a curriculum development process with relevant stakeholders that will allow it to incorporate ordinary school curriculum with its curriculum.
“The curriculum is covering three main themes of climate, technology, innovation and entrepreneurship, themes that are relevant as the nation pushes for the attainment of the 2063 development goals,” she added.
Meanwhile, Chimwemwe Chisembe, an applied physics lecturer at the Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS) has welcomed the initiative, calling it progressive.
“I think this initiative will allow students in our schools to embrace innovation and entrepreneurship at young age,” he said.
MUST established ADDA to equip young people with 21st century skills in drone technology and data analysis while building their employability and entrepreneurial mindset.
