Project provides new digital skills, says PPPC

The Public Private Partnership Commission (PPPC) says many people continue to obtain new digital skills and knowledge of information and communications technology (ICT) through the Malawi Digital Project.

Speaking in an interview on Thursday, PPPC chief executive Patrick Kabambe said the project has increased access to the Internet through its digital system programme of installing Wi-Fi in markets, schools, hospitals, airports and public libraries.

He said the project has provided an opportunity for people to access the Internet easily.

Kabambe said over five million people now have access to the Internet in different places under the project, with 3 000 being women and girls.

He said: “The project is progressing well and slowly the objective of the initiative is being fulfilled.

“It is our desire to increase Internet access, improve online business as well as online studies and fulfilling government plans of delivering digital public service to public agencies in the country.”

Kabambe said the project has also provided Internet access to students from public universities.

ICT Association of Malawi president Clarence Gama said the project is testimony that the Malawi Government was committed to increasing Internet penetration in the country.

He said: “The project has assisted many sectors in the country. For example, many schools have access to online studies, businesspeople are able to do online business, officers have an opportunity to conduct online meetings using the Wi-Fi that was installed in different places across the country.”

The project started in 2021 and it is expected to end by June 30 2024.

The Malawi Digital Project is a $74 million (about K77 billion) World Bank-funded initiative whose aim is to contribute to a digital transformation.