Minister of Information Shadric Namalomba has called on young people to use the skills and knowledge they have acquired to develop solutions to Malawi’s socio-economic challenges.
Namalomba made the remarks in Lilongwe during a certificate presentation ceremony to 30 students from four public universities who have been equipped with advanced digital skills under the Inclusive Digital Transformation for Malawi Project.
Namalomba said ICT is the foundation of national development, and training the youth is critical to speed up the process, as outlined in the 2063 development agenda.
The Minister says the government will continue to invest in ICT to achieve digital inclusivity and has called on the youths to help the government in the drive by building local solutions for Malawians.
“We have complained for too long that in government service, delivery is poor. We still have people queuing at the immigration and road traffic departments,” said Namalomba. “We still have people coming from outside developing and dumping solutions in Malawi, yet we have our talent through young ones who can develop solutions for local consumption.”
On his part, President of the ICT Association of Malawi, Clarence Gama, said the trainings are professional and recognised globally. He has made an assurance that the youths will be capable of developing solutions for the country. Gama has since stressed the need for collaboration and partnerships to achieve the goals.
Meanwhile, UNDP Malawi Resident Representative Fenella Frost has commended the government for its powerful political will to transform Malawi’s digital landscape through various investments.
Universities which are part of the project are Mzuzu University, University of Malawi, Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences and Malawi University of Science and Technology. The project is being funded by Irish Aid, the European Union and UNDP.
