Local Business Partners
Experienced Malawian entrepreneurs who give their time, wisdom, and real-world access to the next generation — not for pay, but because they are the warm heart of Africa.
Wisdom from those who've built it here.
Book knowledge is essential. But nothing replaces watching someone navigate the real challenges of running a business in Malawi — the relationships, the resourcefulness, the grit it takes to keep going.
The Phuka Business Partners program connects our Academy and Ventures students with accomplished Malawian entrepreneurs who are actively building and succeeding right here, right now. These partners commit to mentoring, coaching, teaching, and creating genuine opportunities for students to work alongside them.
They are unpaid. They do it because they believe in this next generation — and because they know better than anyone what it takes to build a sustainable future in Malawi.
More than mentors.
Our business partners don't just advise from a distance. They open their doors — inviting students into their operations, letting them observe real decisions, and giving them a front-row seat to how a Malawian business actually works.
They share hard-won lessons. They make introductions. They push students to think bigger and to hold themselves to a higher standard.
Most importantly, they model what's possible — proving to every student that sustainable entrepreneurship in Malawi is not a distant dream but a present reality.
Eugene Dzanjalimodzi Junior
Serial Entrepreneur & Community Leader
Eugene studied electrical engineering at university before discovering that his greatest talent wasn't in circuits — it was in spotting unmet needs and building businesses to fill them. Today he is a serial entrepreneur with ventures spanning real estate, manufacturing of office equipment, and beyond.
What sets Eugene apart is his instinct for solving community problems with friendly faces and accessible prices. He doesn't just build businesses; he builds trust. That reputation has made him a recognized leader across Malawian business, government relations, and culture.
At Phuka, Eugene brings that same energy to our students — guiding them with steady wisdom, creating tangible opportunities for them to participate in real ventures, and showing them that entrepreneurship is not a solitary pursuit but a community endeavor.
Takwana Sakwiya Ophiri (Rogers)
Farmer, Seed Specialist & Agricultural Entrepreneur
Rogers is a dedicated farmer based in Malawi with a deep commitment to commercial maize farming — particularly the careful multiplication of quality maize seeds. Alongside his crop work, he raises healthy poultry and pigs, building an integrated agricultural operation that is both practical and sustainable.
For Rogers, farming is more than a livelihood. It is a way to care for his family, strengthen his community, and demonstrate that agriculture, done with intention and discipline, can be the foundation of a genuinely prosperous life in Malawi.
At Phuka, Rogers has taken our students under his wing — walking with them through the realities of agricultural entrepreneurship, from soil preparation to market, and showing them that the land is one of Malawi's greatest assets for those willing to work it with care.
They're not mentors from afar. They are here, building, every single day — and they've chosen to bring our students alongside them. — Phuka Foundation
Are you a Malawian business leader?
We are always looking for accomplished entrepreneurs, farmers, and professionals who want to invest in Malawi's next generation. If you're building something here and believe in what we're doing, we'd love to talk.
Get in touch →