INTERNATIONAL STEM DAY: CELEBRATING SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING & MATHEMATICS
8 November 2025
At Ntha Foundation, STEM has always been at the heart of our mission to bridge worlds through creativity and innovation.
We believe that Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics are not just academic disciplines—they are the engines driving Africa’s next wave of transformation.
Our Journey in STEM
Since 2018, Ntha Foundation has empowered youth across Africa to explore and lead in STEM fields through innovative learning programs and technology-driven initiatives.
- Digital Skills for Africa (DSA):
Our flagship digital education program has trained over 500,000 young people across 20+ African countries, equipping them with 21st-century digital competencies—from coding and data literacy to digital entrepreneurship. - Kwathu Innovation & Creative Centre:
Established in 2021 with support from the World Bank under the Digital Malawi Project, the Kwathu Centre became Malawi’s first youth-led innovation hub. It provides access to digital labs, creative technology workshops, and mentorship for aspiring engineers, designers, and creators. - Bants2Business (B2B):
Through this platform, young innovators and entrepreneurs turn ideas into ventures—learning to apply science and technology in creative industries, product design, and business solutions. - Women in Digital Transformation:
Through our collaborations with organizations such as the UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), European Union, and the Digital Frontiers Institute, we continue to advance women’s leadership in digital innovation.
As one of our Founder’s reflections in this partnership captured: “We aimed to train 60% women. My hub didn’t struggle—75% of our applicants were women. The fact that the hub is led by a woman helped others envision themselves in this space.” This commitment continues to shape our approach: when women lead in technology and policy, innovation accelerates, and communities grow stronger.
Looking Ahead: The Future of STEM at Ntha Foundation
Our next chapter expands our work from digital literacy to STEM innovation for sustainable development.
Key Focus Areas for the Next Seven Years:
- STEM for Sustainable Agriculture: Integrating technology into agritech education through Kwathu Smart Innovation Farms (KSIF).
- STEM Education in Schools: Partnering with Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST) and Michigan State University (MSU) to build a STEM learning pipeline from secondary school to university.
- Girls in STEM Fellowship: Launching a mentorship and scholarship program to support young women pursuing studies in engineering, computer science, and data analytics.
- Maker Spaces & Labs: Expanding the Kwathu Kollective network to include robotics labs, design studios, and innovation classrooms across Malawi and beyond.
- STEM Policy & Advocacy: Partnering with the National Planning Commission and AU-SARO to influence national strategies on digital transformation, youth innovation, and STEM inclusion.
Why STEM Matters
STEM education is more than a curriculum—it’s a mindset. It teaches young people how to think critically, solve problems creatively, and innovate sustainably.
By equipping Africa’s youth with these tools, Ntha Foundation is building a future where young people are not just consumers of technology but creators of it.
Join Us
On this International STEM Day, we celebrate every young scientist, technologist, engineer, and mathematician shaping the continent’s future.
Together, we can make Africa’s innovation story one that starts in classrooms, labs, and creative spaces—and echoes across the world.
Want to partner on or fund one of our programs / initiatives? We are always open to collaborations and partnerships. Contact our Founder; Ms. Nthanda Manduwi via contact@nthafoundation.org.
To keep up with the work of the Ntha Foundation, our hubs under the Kwathu Kollective, our initiatives, and our projects, follow us on social media:
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