YaBa, born Yamikani Banda, hails from Nkhata-Bay, but he and his siblings were raised in Blantyre. He was born at Queen Elizabeth Hospital and initially lived in Ndirande before moving to Chilobwe in 1992, where his family still resides. He currently lives in Chatha Village, under Traditional Authority Kapeni, in the Blantyre District.
YaBa began his educational journey at Naotcha Full Primary School, then continued to Chimwankhunda Secondary School, and later attended Nanjiriri Community Day Secondary School in Machinjiri. His spiritual education includes Bible and ministry training at Lighthouse Chapel International in South Africa, where he completed exams through Anagkazo Bible College. He also attempted to study plumbing at Soche Technical College.
YaBa is a devout Christian, affiliated with the Malawi Assemblies of God. He is currently working as a civil servant at the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC).