Profound topics on agenda to be presented by distinguished speakers at the ICT Expo 2025 on June 5-6

* All under theme; ‘Accelerating Malawi’s Digital Economy: Innovation, Inclusion and Sustainable Growth’ that reflects national commitment to fast-tracking digital transformation

* Theme focus areas include innovation to embrace emerging technologies such as AI, Blockchain, IoT, and FinTech.

* Inclusion to ensure universal access to digital tools and Sustainable Growth to drive resilient economic development through smart tech adoption

By Duncan Mlanjira

All under the theme; ‘Accelerating Malawi’s Digital Economy: Innovation, Inclusion and Sustainable Growth’, the six distinguished speakers at the ICT Expo 2025 are expected to present “national commitment to fast-tracking digital transformation” which they will unpack from their profound topics that are on agenda on June 5-6 at Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe.

The key pillars in the presentations include financial inclusion, e-commerce, digital skills development and cybersecurity — as announced by organisers, Information & Communication Technology Association of Malawi (ICTAM) president, Clarence Gama at the launch of the ICT Expo 2025 Monday night at Amaryllis Hotel in Blantyre.

To be opened by Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) Governor, Dr. Mafuta Mwale as guest of honour, he will then be followed by keynote speaker, Stephen Lloyd Mjuweni, the Principal Secretary for Department of E-Government — whose topic is ‘Building a Resilient and Inclusive Digital Economy for Malawi’.

He will then be followed by Chief Executive Officer for Public Private Privatisation Commission, Patrick Kabambe (‘Building Smart and Secure Digital Infrastructure’); and University of Malawi (UNIMA‘s) Prof. Chipo Kanjo (‘Developing a Future-Ready Workforce: Digital Skills & Capacity Building’).

The other three speakers are William Kaunda, Head of National Bank of Malawi’s Digital Financial Services Division (‘Expanding Digital Financial Services for Economic Growth’); Peter Tsamwa, Head of Standard Bank’s Information Security & Risk (‘Cybersecurity, Data Protection & Trust in Digital Transactions’); and Kondwani Kachika, Director of Postal & e-Commerce for Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA), whose topic is ‘Harnessing e-Commerce and Digital Platforms for MSME Growth’.

Established in 2019, the premium technology platform’s themes discuss key pillars of matters of national importance, and this year’s theme focus areas include Innovation to embrace emerging technologies such as AI, Blockchain, IoT, and FinTech.

Other focus areas are Inclusion; to ensure universal access to digital tools and Sustainable Growth to drive resilient economic development through smart tech adoption.

Last year’s theme was; ‘Digital Transformation: Gateway to Economic Empowerment’, graced by Minister of Information & Digitalisation, Moses Kunkuyu as guest of honour, whose keynote speaker was Malawi University of Science & Technology (MUST) Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Address Malata — followed by Thandekile Bvundula (‘Bridging the digital divide’); Takuya Kitazawa (‘Why digitalisation must be intentional’); and Teddy Yagambaram Soobramanien (‘COMESA’s voice on continental transformation’).

The ICT Expo 2025 will climax into a Gala Night where trailblazers shaping Malawi’s digital future will be honoured under categories that include ICT Firm of the Year, which recognises a leading ICT company for outstanding innovation, service delivery and impact on Malawi’s digital transformation.

Then there is Tech Startup of the Year, which honours a young, innovative startup bringing creative, scalable tech solutions that tackle local challenges; Digital Insurance Award — that celebrates an insurance company using digital technologies to enhance customer experience and service efficiency.

Digital Banking Award acknowledges a bank that has excelled in digital transformation, financial inclusion, and innovative banking services; Internet Connectivity Award recognises efforts in expanding reliable, affordable internet access and closing the digital gap in Malawi; Digital Public Service Award honors a public institution using digital solutions to improve service delivery, transparency, and citizen engagement.

Others are Innovation Tech Solution Award that celebrates a standout tech solution that creatively and effectively addresses community or industry challenges; Women-led ICT Firm of the Year honors a woman-led ICT firm excelling in innovation, leadership, and inspiring gender inclusion in the tech industry.

Cybersecurity Excellence Award recognises outstanding commitment to cybersecurity through robust data protection and threat mitigation measures; ICT Education & Skills Development Award recognises impactful initiatives that have advanced ICT education or digital skills training in Malawi.

Best Use of ICT in Health honours innovative use of ICT to improve healthcare delivery, outcomes, or health system efficiency; e-Commerce Platform of the Year recognises a top e-commerce platform that has significantly enhanced the online shopping experience in Malawi; and Lifetime Achievement Award, that pays tribute to an individual with a lasting legacy of leadership, innovation, and contribution to Malawi’s ICT sector.

In his remarks at the launch yesterday, Clarence Gama encouraged the public to grace the ICT Expo 2025 as it is not just for IT experts but across the board to appreciate what the sector has in store for every Malawian.

He highlighted that this year’s theme is directly aligned with the Malawi Digital Economy Strategy (2021–2026), a blueprint that guides the ICT sector in building a digitally empowered nation.

“As ICTAM, our role is to convene industry, government, development partners, academia, and the public in shaping a future-ready digital Malawi,” he said. “The ICT Expo is one of the most significant platforms where these players converge.

“This year, we aim to make the Expo more inclusive, practical, and results-oriented — offering professional development opportunities, showcasing innovation, and recognising excellence in the ICT sector through our Corporate Awards.”

He thus invited IT experts, sponsors, exhibitors, speakers, delegates and all members of the general public to be part of the stakeholders “of shaping the country’s digital future”.

According to its website, ICTAM is an umbrella body of all ICT professionals in Malawi, whose Mission is “to offer ICT leadership by catalysing policy changes and by supporting related developments aimed at enabling Malawians to participate effectively in the modern technology-based global economy — benefiting the nation and its partners.

Among the objectives, ICTAM seeks “to promote knowledge and understanding of information technology among members, individuals, institutions and the general public — for effective and productive utilisation of ICTs in Malawi, and to provide forum for exchange of views among information technology professionals and users’.

Its Vision is “to develop and promote the integrity and competence of the IT profession in Malawi” — led by Executive Committee under president, Clarence Gama, whose tenure started in 2024 up to 2026.

He is supported by Moses Dossi as vice-president; Exile Njoka (general secretary); Elizabeth Masache (treasurer general); Israel Kondowe (executive member for membership drive); Yusuf Chimole (executive member for innovations); Elizabeth Mwale (executive member for women in ICT); and Daryan Gadama (executive member for corporate relations).