ZANTCHITO ENTREPRENEURSHIP & ACCESS TO FINANCE
Empowering Youth Entrepreneurs at the TIPULA Zantchito Expo
EVENT MANAGEMENT
Overview
The TIPULA Zantchito Expo, organized by Zantchito Entrepreneurship Programme (with support from the European Union and UNDP Malawi). The event, which was managed by Mawa Creative, took place on 27th September 2024 at Domino Gardens, Zomba, and on 5th April 2025 at Bingu International Convention Centre, Lilongwe. Mawa Creative led the event’s concept, developing its brand identity, coining the TIPULA name, and creating the original jingle. All branding materials—including banners, posters, and digital media—were designed by Mawa Creative and will continue to be used across the Zantchito ecosystem to maintain consistent messaging and visibility.
​
The expo aimed to inspire and equip young graduates with the skills and knowledge needed for entrepreneurship and vocational training. The Zomba edition laid the foundation by bringing together aspiring entrepreneurs for a day of exposure to business support services, networking, and inspiration. Building on this momentum, the Lilongwe edition broadened the impact by attracting youth from diverse backgrounds and offering a dynamic program, including an Elevator Pitch Competition, entrepreneurship stalls, an idea room, entrepreneurial board games, music performances, and networking sessions. Together, both editions created a vibrant platform for young entrepreneurs to showcase their ideas, gain practical insights, and connect with industry leaders.
LILONGWE, BICC
ZOMBA, DOMINO GARDENS
Objectives
The TIPULA Zantchito Expo aimed to:
-
Inspire Youth Engagement: Empower young people, particularly recent graduates, to explore entrepreneurship and develop their business acumen.
-
Showcase Innovation: Provide a platform for entrepreneurs to present innovative business solutions and gain visibility.
-
Facilitate Networking: Enable participants to connect with potential investors, partners, and mentors.
Approach
​
Mawa Creative led the end-to-end planning and execution of the TIPULA Zantchito Expo. Our strategic approach focused on:
-
Brand Development: Created a cohesive brand identity for TIPULA, including the name, logo, and visual assets that reflect the spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation.
-
Custom Event Jingle: Produced an original jingle aired on various platforms, including radio and social media, contributing to event awareness and engagement.
-
Elevator Pitch Competition: Curated a competition allowing entrepreneurs to present their business ideas to experts, gaining valuable feedback and exposure.
-
Entrepreneurship Stalls: Provided space for entrepreneurs to showcase their products and services, creating an interactive environment for learning and business promotion.
-
Community Engagement: Leveraged digital marketing and local influencer partnerships to promote the event and attract a diverse audience.
Marketing efforts included a 10-day media campaign for each event, generating strong visibility and engagement across platforms. The campaign reached 58,600 people initially and later grew to 278,163 people, with additional support from local influencers who shared content on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook, generating over 5,000 views. These combined efforts played a key role in the overall success of the event.
Impact
​​
The TIPULA Zantchito Expo created significant impact across both Zomba and Lilongwe, with each edition building on the success of the previous one:
-
Participant Empowerment: Participants reported increased confidence in pitching their ideas and highlighted the value of connections made during the expo.
-
Registrations & Attendance: The two editions recorded 279 online sign-ups in Zomba and 1,015 in Lilongwe, with a combined attendance of about 750 participants (220 in Zomba and 530 in Lilongwe). Female participation grew from 38% in Zomba to 49% in Lilongwe, reflecting progress toward the goal of increasing women’s involvement in entrepreneurship
-
Media Coverage: The expo attracted widespread media attention in both Zomba and Lilongwe, with coverage from major outlets including YONECO, MBC, The Nation Publications, Times, and Zodiak Broadcasting. This visibility elevated the profile of both Mawa Creative and the participating entrepreneurs.
- Social Media Impact: The campaign boosted online visibility, starting with 206 new Facebook followers and over 6,173 organic reaches in Zomba, and expanding in Lilongwe with influencer support, which helped sustain broader engagement and generated an additional 18,597 organic reaches.
-
Participant Feedback: Attendees praised the professional execution of the event and the networking opportunities provided, noting the value of the platform for entrepreneurial growth.
