The government says it is prioritising mentorship and stronger market linkages to help young innovators turn their ideas into viable, trade-ready businesses, Minister of Industry, Trade, and Tourism Simon Itaye has said.
Speaking after touring exhibitions at the Malawi ICT Innovation Awards organised by the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA), Itaye said structured support is key to scaling local innovations.
“What we need to do is to mentor them and ensure that the products are being sold,” he said.
He said many of the innovations on display have strong commercial potential and, with the right support, could contribute significantly to national trade.
He noted that most of the projects are youth-led, with many innovators already creating jobs for themselves and others through their ventures.
He added that some of the solutions are addressing critical sectors such as agriculture and education, while others have already begun reaching export markets.
Itaye said plans to make the ICT Innovation Awards an annual event are aimed at strengthening competition, improving visibility, and sustaining growth in Malawi’s innovation ecosystem.
