The National Commission for Science and Technology (NCST) launched Malawi’s first comprehensive Business Innovation Survey on Wednesday, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at mapping the country’s entrepreneurial landscape and driving economic development.
The ambitious K200 million project will survey up to 600 enterprises, ranging from small local businesses to large-scale corporations, across Malawi.
This is expected to be a catalyst for understanding the nation’s innovation potential.
Speaking at a press conference, NCST Director General Gift Kadzamira described the survey as a milestone for the country.
“We aim to collect and report comparable data on innovation activities across various sectors. This is not just about collecting numbers; it is about creating a comprehensive understanding of our business ecosystem that can drive evidence-based policy-making and economic growth,” Kadzamira said.
The survey, conducted in collaboration with the National Statistical Office (NSO), will focus on critical areas, including the number and types of innovations introduced by businesses, the current innovation rate and the role of digitalisation in fostering entrepreneurial growth.
NSO Commissioner of Statistics Shelton Kanyanda emphasised the importance of media support in the initiative.
“The media is crucial in helping businesses understand the significance of this survey. We call upon journalists to help sensitise the public and ensure accurate reporting,” Kanyanda said.
The survey is set to run from January 27 to May 2025 and aligns with Malawi’s long-term development strategy, the Malawi 2063 vision.
Collected data are expected to inform national policies and potentially establish Malawi as a regional innovation hub.
Businesses selected for the survey will be contacted by NCST and NSO officials in the coming weeks.
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