Suleman Chitera 
By Suleman Chitera | MFN Reporter
11 November 2026 | 12:12 PM
Minister of Information and Communications Technology Dr Shadric Namalomba has called on the private sector, financial institutions and development partners to increase investment in locally developed innovations, saying supporting home-grown ideas is key to accelerating industrialisation, creating employment opportunities and stimulating Malawi’s economic growth.
Namalomba made the call during the Second Mzuzu University Open Innovation Day held on Tuesday, where he emphasised the need for stronger collaboration between universities, government, businesses and investors to transform innovative ideas into commercially viable products and services.
He said Malawi has considerable creative and technological potential, particularly among young people, but many promising innovations fail to progress beyond the idea stage because their developers lack access to adequate financing, mentorship, equipment and markets.
“Our greatest challenge is ensuring that promising ideas do not die because their creators lack financing, mentorship, equipment or market access,” he said.
The minister stressed that investing in local innovations would not only empower young innovators but also help the country develop home-grown solutions to its economic and technological challenges.
He called on financial institutions and private companies to recognise innovation as an investment opportunity rather than simply an area of interest, arguing that locally developed technologies could create businesses, generate employment and reduce dependence on imported products.
Minister calls for local smartphone manufacturing
Namalomba also challenged Malawian innovators to explore opportunities in smartphone manufacturing and assembly, highlighting the need to expand access to affordable digital devices.
He observed that more than 70 percent of Malawians cannot afford smartphones, a situation that limits their participation in the growing digital economy and access to technology-driven opportunities.
He encouraged innovators to consider developing affordable smartphones and related technologies that respond to the needs and purchasing power of ordinary Malawians.
Developing local capacity in smartphone assembly and manufacturing could also open opportunities for skills development, technology transfer, entrepreneurship and job creation.
Mzuzu University strengthens focus on innovation
Meanwhile, Mzuzu University Deputy Vice-Chancellor Simeon Gwayi said the institution was shifting its focus towards strengthening innovation and industrialisation as part of its contribution to national development.
Gwayi highlighted the importance of universities going beyond traditional academic training by encouraging students and researchers to develop practical solutions that address real-world challenges.
The Open Innovation Day provided an opportunity for students and innovators to showcase their technological ideas, demonstrate their creativity and explore opportunities for partnerships and commercialisation.
ICT student wins top innovation award
One of the major highlights of the event was the recognition of final-year Information and Communication Technology student Christopher Rayan Kuchawao, who was named the best innovator.
Kuchawao earned the recognition for developing Msambizi, an artificial intelligence-powered platform designed to provide personalised academic support to students.
The platform uses course materials and lecturers’ recorded voices to help students access learning assistance tailored to their academic needs.
The innovation demonstrates the potential of artificial intelligence in transforming education by making academic resources and personalised learning support more accessible to students.
Msambizi also highlights the growing role of university students in developing technology-based solutions that can improve service delivery and address challenges within Malawi’s education sector.
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The recognition of Kuchawao’s innovation underscores the importance of creating an environment where young people can turn their technological skills and creativity into practical solutions.
Investment key to unlocking Malawi’s innovation potential
The call for increased investment comes at a time when Malawi is seeking ways to strengthen its productive sectors, expand digital access and create sustainable employment opportunities, particularly for young people.
However, turning innovations into successful businesses requires more than creativity. Innovators need financial support, technical expertise, research facilities, mentorship, intellectual property protection and access to reliable markets.
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Stronger partnerships between universities, government and the private sector could help bridge this gap and ensure that promising local innovations move from prototypes to products that benefit the wider population.
Namalomba’s message at the Mzuzu University Open Innovation Day was therefore a call for Malawi to recognise, support and invest in its own innovators as part of the country’s broader industrialisation and economic transformation agenda.
