Malawi’s digital economy is already bringing in billions of kwacha from abroad, a development industry leaders say proves the country has untapped solutions to its persistent foreign exchange crisis.
Speaking at the ICTAM Expo 2026 in Lilongwe, Sparc Systems Limited Group Managing Director Wisely Phiri said ICT services exports, which have grown from about US$70 million in 2020 to US$154 million in 2023, demonstrate that Malawi already has a functioning and competitive digital export sector capable of contributing meaningfully to foreign currency inflows.
He said the performance of the sector shows that Malawi cannot continue to lament foreign exchange shortages while underinvesting in industries that are already proving their capacity to generate external earnings.
Phiri added that with the right level of support and strategic investment, the ICT sector could significantly ease pressure on traditional sources of forex and help redirect the country’s economic focus towards more productive, export-driven sectors.
“We have moved beyond proving that Malawian technology companies can compete. The export data is real, the demand exists, and the infrastructure is being built. The GI question now is how quickly we can scale our capabilities across Africa,” Phiri said.
He further argued that economic priorities have not always reflected the potential of high-growth sectors, noting that in some cases resources have been directed to areas with limited impact on export earnings and foreign exchange generation, while ICT continues to show measurable results.
Phiri made the remarks while presenting Sparc Systems’ blueprint for scaling IT services exports across Africa and beyond, positioning Malawi to compete more strongly in the continent’s fast-growing digital economy.
He said the country’s opportunity lies in expanding the capacity of local firms to deliver digital solutions at scale, backed by investment in infrastructure, skills development, and supportive policy frameworks.
Sparc Systems Limited also showcased a portfolio of locally developed technology platforms designed to address challenges across sectors including finance, agriculture, education, human resources, construction and customer relationship management.
Among its flagship systems are Comply Quest, an anti-money laundering and compliance platform; Sparc Force; Sparc HR; Sparc CRM; Saris, a student academic records management system; Farmers Payment Systems; and Procomos, a project and contractor monitoring solution.
The company said these innovations form part of a broader strategy to strengthen Malawi’s digital exports and position local firms to compete regionally and globally.
Sparc Systems Limited operates across Malawi, Zambia, Tanzania, Mozambique and Rwanda, specializing in enterprise infrastructure, cloud solutions, cybersecurity, software development, digital transformation, data centre services and ICT training.
