By Wezzie Gausi:
Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (Macra) says it is high time the country started exporting digital skills as part of job creation among Malawians.
This comes as the country faces challenges to enhance internet penetration.
Speaking during a Mobile Connectivity Index Workshop on Monday in Lilongwe, Macra Director General Daud Suleman said the world has moved into a digital economy which needs digital skills.
He said if people have digital skills, they can be employed outside Malawi while still living in the country.
“We would like to train many people in digital skills so that we should be able to export digital skills. We believe that as the world is changing, we need to be thinking outside the box in order to not remain behind.
“Exporting digital skills can only require having good internet connectivity and having relevant gadgets for one to operate with,” Suleman said.
Digital Inclusion Senior Advocacy Manager Anne Shannon Baxter said Malawi has some challenges that need to be addressed when it comes to digital issues.
She said the country is among countries that are moving at a snail’s pace to achieve digital penetration.
“Looking at how the country is faring, we thought it wise to come up with this workshop so that we can brainstorm and teach one another on how best Malawi can move forward,” Baxter said.
Recently Macra committed to bring sanity to service providers that fall under its jurisdiction.
This followed complaints from the Consumers Association of Malawi and other people that receive services.
