24/06/2025
A little experience in entrepreneurship: Praise Kagoya
My entrepreneurial journey is grounded in a strong passion for sustainable development. With a Bachelor of Science in Land Management from Mzuzu University, I’ve grown from a technically trained graduate into a versatile entrepreneur working at the intersection of geospatial science, digital innovation, business development, and climate-smart enterprise development.
From the start, I combined technical precision with creative problem-solving—applying my skills in graphic design, technical and computer-aided drawing, mapping (GIS), and screen printing, business development to support both rural communities and youth-driven initiatives. These tools became central in delivering impactful solutions in areas such as land planning, environmental education, and SME branding.
To deepen my entrepreneurial potential, I actively pursued high-impact national and international training opportunities. I received grant funding and business coaching through the BIZ Incubation Challenge by the World Bank and Emerge Livelihoods. I was also a participant in the AgTech Challenge, supported by GIZ, TACE, Save the Children, Synergy, and NxtGen, where I received mentorship and working capital to support climate-smart agribusiness solutions. A major turning point came through the Biodiversity Finance Accelerator (BIOFA), implemented by SEED, adelphi, and LUANAR. There, I was trained in ecosystem-based business modeling, sustainability mapping, and impact assessment. This shaped the way I approach enterprise development with both environmental and social outcomes in mind.
These experiences laid the groundwork for founding OKA, a digital, technical, and green social enterprise that provides GIS and mapping services, climate-smart innovations, enterprise development support, digital branding, and creative design solutions. I’ve worked with youth- and women-led MSMEs in Mzimba, Karonga, Rumphi, Dedza, and Lilongwe, providing hands-on training.