By Burnett Munthali

In a significant move to address youth unemployment and skill gaps in Malawi, Daga Investments and General Dealers (DIG), a locally-owned IT and digital technology company, is providing free skills training under its “Giving ICT to the Community” initiative. Through this project, DIG aims to equip young Malawians with the technical knowledge necessary for employment or to start their own ventures.

Douglas Nang’ombe, DIG’s technical director, shared that the training will cover essential skills such as computer hardware and software repair, network installation, fiber optics, and CCTV camera installation. The project’s first phase, running from November to February, will span three months and be available to youth from across the country.

“We noticed that many youths have natural aptitude and interest but lack formal knowledge in these areas. Education is valuable, yet not everyone has access due to financial or social challenges. This training is a way to bridge that gap,” Nang’ombe explained.

One of the program’s beneficiaries, Robert Mapiko, 26, shared his story of dropping out of school due to financial constraints. Until recently, he worked as a welder to make ends meet. “The training is opening up new possibilities for me. I didn’t know anything about operating systems or computer components like RAM and hard drives. I believe these skills will give me a better chance at success,” Mapiko said.

Similarly, 22-year-old Ivy Chaponda expressed her excitement about her newfound knowledge in computer repair. “Learning to dismantle and assemble computer parts has been enlightening. This training gives me a foundation to build on, and it’s encouraging to gain hands-on experience in such a practical field,” she said.

Chilobwe resident Barbara Chimbaza praised the initiative, noting the importance of accessible vocational skills training for those unable to afford formal education. “Providing training for free is empowering and could be life-changing for many who otherwise wouldn’t have this chance,” she said.

The training sessions are held at DIG’s offices in Blantyre’s CBD. Students are required to contribute towards their uniform, a flash drive, and an ID card.