Key Business Points

• National ICT Awards will provide recognition and funding opportunities for local digital innovators to showcase solutions in line with Malawi 2063 goals.

• Visibility drives growth – Winners can gain international exposure through a sponsored trip to Geneva, connecting with global networks and potential partners.

• Resource gap remains – Limited funding and resources threaten to discourage innovators, highlighting the need for continued investment in entrepreneurship support.

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Patricia Kambale: Macra Focal Person

Malawi’s communications regulator is launching a new initiative to spotlight homegrown digital innovation across the country.

The Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (Macra) has announced plans for its National Innovation Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Awards. Slated for April 21, this competition will highlight projects that align with Malawi 2063 – the nation’s long-term blueprint for development.

According to Macra, the awards aim to stimulate creativity while promoting locally developed digital solutions that address pressing socio-economic needs. In a rapidly digitizing global economy, such innovation can deliver scalable and cost-effective solutions for education, agriculture, healthcare and governance.

"Recognition at this level boosts visibility and opens doors to international exposure," said Limbani Nsapato, Macra’s head of international relations and corporate communications. He emphasized that being recognized locally provides more than prestige – it can unlock doors to partnerships, funding and new markets.

The initiative targets innovators from multiple sectors. Eligible entrants include Malawian citizens, registered local companies (amkumbira), ICT start-ups, students, academic institutions and research organizations. A mid-March deadline ensures time for thorough review of entries.

The stakes are significant. The top two finalists will earn an all-expenses-paid opportunity to present their innovations at the ITU Artificial Intelligence for Good Global Summit in Geneva, Switzerland. Some winners from last year’s event secured up to $2 million USD in investments and international contracts.

Must food science and technology lecturer Mayeso Kachingwe sees the awards as vital for science, technology and digital transformation in Malawi. He says an effective platform connects young innovators with potential partners, investors and decision-makers.

Former Malawi University of Science and Technology student Maurice Juma highlights a persistent barrier: "Many innovators lack the resources, especially funding, to further develop their prototypes." Without support, promising ideas often stagnate.

Macra views the awards as a way to sustain Malawi’s innovation ecosystem. The regulator believes fostering domestic talent helps transform promising concepts into solutions that genuinely improve livelihoods. This blend of recognition and opportunity could strengthen economic resilience while inspiring the next generation of #innovators.

For Malawian entrepreneurs and innovators, the call for applications opens a path to both domestic recognition and global exposure. With inclusion of ICT start-ups and support for small enterprises, this initiative supports a foundation for the innovation economy Malawi needs to reach its Vision 2063 ambitions.

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