The 2025 ALE Stakeholder Mapping and Capacity Needs Assessment in Malawi

Adult Learning and Education (ALE) is a vital component of Malawi’s human capital and socio economic development strategy, as outlined in the pillars of the Malawi 2063 agenda. It aims to equip adults and youth with essential literacy, numeracy and vocational skills, enabling them to contribute more effectively to their communities and the national economy. ALE is particularly crucial for out-of-school populations and marginalized communities that lack access to formal education pathways. Currently, over 3.5 million youths and adults in Malawi require ALE services, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) No. 4 on “access to opportunities for lifelong learning.”

The findings of a stakeholder mapping exercise conducted across all 28 districts of the country. It is structured in two key sections:

1. Stocktaking of Current Providers – Examining the personnel and physical structures available for adult learning and education across various sectors, including community development, agricultural extension, and non-formal vocational education and training.
2. Assessment of Capacity Development Needs – Identifying gaps and opportunities for strengthening the capacities of stakeholders engaged in ALE in Malawi.

The assessment reveals that, beyond the political and institutional mandate of the Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare, various stakeholders including government agencies, NGOs, donors, educational institutions and community based organisations are actively involved in ALE. The country has existing resources in terms of personnel, infrastructure and to some extent, funding, which could be more effectively utilised to support out-of-school youth and adults in acquiring education and skills.

To achieve this, a clearer understanding of ALE and lifelong learning, along with strategies to make them more accessible to all, is essential. The report recommends enforcing existing policies and strategies while fostering structured engagement for well-coordinated, interdisciplinary, and cross-sectoral collaboration among governmental and non-governmental stakeholders. This includes the joint mobilisation of resources and the enhancement of existing capacities.

A statistical compendium highlights which stakeholders provide community learning centres, literacy programmes, workplace-based learning initiatives and the corresponding human resources and infrastructure—key elements of an integrated ALE system in Malawi.

For more information please contact us at info@dvv-international.mw