U.S. Embassy Lilongwe

🌱 Advancing Digital Agriculture in Malawi 🇺🇸🇲🇼
Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders alumna Rachel Kumwenda Kaunda recently implemented a digital agriculture project in Malawi through a Reciprocal Exchange grant under the Young African Leaders Initiative Network.
In partnership with Druid Agriculture, the project trained farmers in Mitundu, Lilongwe, on digital agriculture tools and modern farming practices, including the use of drones and soil monitoring technologies to support crop production.
The two-day training brought together nearly 100 farmers and extension workers, reflecting the growing interest in innovative farming solutions in Malawi. Rachel collaborated with U.S.-based partner Julian Walker from Druid Agriculture, who joined the sessions virtually to lead technical discussions. 🇺🇸🇲🇼

Meet The Fulbright Program U.S. Scholar Dr. Timothy Erickson! 🇺🇸🇲🇼
Dr. Erickson is currently in Malawi, working with Malawi University Of Science and Technology, where he is supporting teaching and research in the health sciences.
He is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at Texas A&M University’s School of Public Health. While in Malawi, he is delivering courses in epidemiology and parasitology, contributing to the development of new coursework, and collaborating on research to better understand disease in children and improve maternal health outcomes.
Beyond the classroom, Dr. Erickson has been exploring Malawian food and enjoying conversations with students about Malawian and American dishes. He enjoys nsima and ndiwo with his children, and his favorites are zibwente and mlamba. 🇺🇸🇲🇼

🎓 Join us in congratulating Precious Mastala, a 2024 The Fulbright Program Foreign Student Program awardee, for earning a Master of Public Health in One Health from the University of Arizona Zuckerman College of Public Health with a perfect 4.0 GPA[JF1.1]! 🇺🇸👏
Precious was also honored with the Outstanding MPH Graduate Award, recognizing outstanding achievement in academic performance, internship performance, commitment to the College of Public Health’s mission and values, and community service.
“We live in a moment when the boundaries between animal, human, and environmental health have never mattered more. The Fulbright Program gave me the rare opportunity to train precisely for this moment, equipping me with a lens that sees health as a single interconnected system. I return to the communities that need this work most, ready to put everything I have learnt to use,” he shares.
Precious, we look forward to seeing the impact of your work! 🇺🇸🇲🇼

Dr. Thoko Kapalamula is an infectious diseases expert at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at LUANAR and a Fulbright Visiting Scholar currently in the United States at United States at Michigan State University. 🇺🇸🇲🇼
He shared this about his experience applying for and participating in the Fulbright Program for lecturers and researchers:
“My motivation for applying to the Fulbright Program was driven by a passion for addressing food safety and antimicrobial resistance challenges in Malawi. The experience at Michigan State University provided me with hands-on training in genomics and bioinformatics, access to advanced research tools, and interdisciplinary collaborations that are difficult to access in Malawi. To fellow lecturers and researchers, I strongly encourage you to apply without hesitation. This is a rare and transformative opportunity for professional growth, international networking, and amplifying your impact at home and across Africa.”
Applications for the Fulbright African Research Scholar program are still open through May 31. Apply here: https://mw.usembassy.gov/fulbright-african-research-scholar-program-arsp/
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The U.S. Mission will be closed today, Monday, May 25, in observance of the U.S. Memorial Day holiday. We will resume normal operations on Tuesday, May 26.

We are so glad to see our exchange alumni continuing to inspire young Malawians! 🇺🇸🇲🇼
Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders alumni Margaret Mwale and McFarlen Mseteka recently held a professional development session for final-year students at Nalikule Demonstration Secondary School.
Drawing from their U.S. exchange experiences, they encouraged students to develop their leadership skills, pursue academic excellence, and lead change in their communities.

As the United States marks 250 years of independence, a 50-year-old cross-country bicycle route continues to offer travelers a unique way to experience America beyond the highways and major cities. 🇺🇸🚴‍♂️
Stretching more than 4,000 miles from Oregon to Virginia, the TransAmerica Bicycle Trail connects riders with small towns, local communities, and everyday American life — one pedal stroke at a time. Read more: https://share.america.gov/america-at-10-miles-per-hour/

AI knowledge is critical to accelerating growth across industries. In partnership with Women in AI, led by YALI alumna Linda Chimwenje, American Center Lilongwe will host a six-part AI & Digital Program for Youth training.
The program will feature six 2-hour sessions over the course of three months, with the first session taking place on May 28, 2026. Registration and attendance are FREE, register here: https://bit.ly/4nxvgpk
⏳ Limited spaces available — don’t miss it!

As we continue to commemorate , we’ll be sharing stories from Malawians who celebrated the 4th of July in the United States. 🇺🇸🇲🇼
Look out for the first video this afternoon featuring Mandela Washington Fellowship alumna Mervis Maigwa! ✨