Ictam meet discusses economic growth strides
By Mphatso Malidadi:
Information Communication and Technology (ICT) specialists have a key role to play in contributing towards sustainable economic growth by coming up with innovative ideas and solutions to various challenges.
This was the general view of panelists and speakers during the 2018 Information Communication and Technology Association of Malawi (Ictam) Annual Lake Conference on Friday in Mangochi District.
A recent United Nations’ World Intellectual Property Organisation (Wipo) report note that intangible capital such as technology is increasingly determining the success of global economies compared to tangible capital such as machinery and buildings.
One of the speakers at the Ictam conference, National Registration Bureau Chief Director Harry Kanjewe, said the public sector wanted innovations that could help communities and the government in attaining sustainable socio-economic development.
“Everytime a community, department or institution is creating something innovative, it is for the benefit of the nation,” Kanjewe said.
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Delving into the topic, Nico Technologies Chief Executive Officer, Clarence Gama, said the innovation forum was important to stakeholders as it exposes individuals and organisations that are developing innovations.
He said practitioners should thrive to come up with innovations that would meet market needs and expectations.
“An innovation is just an idea but what I am very impressed with is to see an idea being put into action, into a demo, into a mobile app and to see that it is actually working,” Gama said.
Outgoing Ictam president, Wisely Phiri, said the association has managed to bridge the gap between industry players and the academia to address ICT issues affecting the country.
He said the industry now appreciates the role of ICT in sustainable economic development.
