By Burnett Munthali
Malawi’s technology industry is positioning itself as a potential new source of foreign exchange, with the ICT Association of Malawi (ICTAM) challenging local innovators to develop digital products that can compete in international markets and reduce the country’s dependence on imported technology.
Newly elected ICTAM president Exile Njoka said the country could begin generating significant foreign currency from its information and communications technology (ICT) sector within the next three years if Malawi invested in home-grown innovation and strengthened the capacity of local technology businesses.
Njoka made the remarks during an innovation awards ceremony at Sunbird Nkopola in Mangochi District, where ICTAM recognised outstanding innovators whose technological solutions have the potential to address challenges facing the country.
He observed that Malawi continues to spend substantial amounts of foreign currency importing technology products and digital solutions that local innovators could potentially develop.
“Malawi must invest in its own innovators and create an environment where local technology companies can develop products for both domestic and international markets,” Njoka said.
He argued that expanding local innovation would help the country reduce its technology import bill while creating opportunities for digital exports, business growth and employment.
His remarks place renewed attention on the potential contribution of the digital economy to Malawi’s foreign exchange position, particularly as the country searches for sustainable ways to expand exports and reduce pressure on its limited foreign currency reserves.
National Bank of Malawi Head of Digital Channels and Payments Enala Catherine Chirwa said the bank was looking for innovative solutions capable of addressing economic challenges while creating employment and opening up new business opportunities.
Chirwa, whose institution sponsored the awards, said National Bank wanted to support innovations that could help ease Malawi’s foreign exchange challenges and demonstrate that locally developed technology could compete commercially.
The bank’s support reflects growing private-sector interest in developing Malawi’s technology ecosystem by identifying promising innovators and helping them access opportunities beyond the domestic market.
The ceremony also recognised achievement in the Financial Technology (FinTech) category, with the overall winners receiving fully sponsored trips from National Bank to attend the Technology Information Confederation Africa (TICON Africa) 2027 conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The international conference will give the Malawian innovators an opportunity to engage with technology professionals, business leaders and other innovators from across Africa, potentially opening doors to partnerships, investment and wider markets.
TICON Africa has confirmed Ethiopia as the host country for its 2027 conference, with Addis Ababa set to welcome delegates from across the continent.
The awards formed part of ICTAM’s 20th-anniversary celebrations, which included its annual general meeting, professional development activities and innovation recognition programmes at Sunbird Nkopola from November 11 to 14, 2026.
As Malawi marks two decades of ICTAM’s contribution to the technology profession, the association faces an important challenge: transforming local creativity into commercially viable products that can generate income, create jobs and earn foreign exchange.
The emerging message is that Malawi’s technology innovators must move beyond developing solutions for local recognition and begin building businesses capable of competing in the wider African and global digital economy.
