Preliminary findings of Malawi’s technology needs assessment show that a stronger information and communications technology (ICT) backbone and improved energy systems are key to bolstering the country’s industrial output.
On Wednesday, the United Nations Technology Bank for Least Developed Countries convened a validation workshop in Lilongwe to provide a platform for various stakeholders to outline the country’s priority technological needs.
Speaking during the workshop, UN Technology Bank for Least Developed Countries head of programme Federica Irene Falomi said the draft assessment will undergo validation in December, with the final report set for launch in March next year.
She said agriculture, energy, mining and ICT have emerged as the key sectors requiring technological interventions.
Said Falomi: “The technology needs assessment has highlighted key gaps and needs in agriculture, energy, mining and ICT.
“We discussed how technology can address critical priorities such as harnessing food security and commercialisation of exports of agricultural products.”
She said the assessment will also include pushing Malawi towards digital transformation by providing digital infrastructure for the population.
Falomi said investors’ response to the assessment will depend on additional factors such as policy environment and other reforms by the Malawi Government.
“We trust that pinpointing strategic opportunities for technology investment is already a good sign for the country to prioritise where and which areas to attract investment,” she said.
In his remarks, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology Principal Secretary Ken Ndala said by identifying technology gaps and suggesting solutions the assessment is key to unlocking the country’s technology and innovation opportunities.
She said: “We are moving into science, technology and innovation and we believe that if we are going to increase our knowledge on the subject, then it means we are going to deal with the challenges that we are facing.”
The workshop brought together representatives from government institutions, the private sector and academia, among others.
The technology needs assessment was conducted by the UN Technology Bank of the Least Developed Countries together with local consultants.
The UN Technology Bank is the only UN organisation exclusively focused on transforming the world’s poorest countries through science, technology and innovation.
The bank works alongside governments, the private sector and research institutions to foster sustainable development by assessing a country’s unique technology needs, connecting them with tailored solutions and backing it up by facilitating skills building.
The Least Developed Countries are home to about 1.1 million people, or 14 percent of the global population, according to the UN.
