Authorities say meaningful usage of technology and the digital space among the youth is key in achieving sustainable development for the nation.
The sentiments from Daudi Suleman, Director General for the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority-MACRA comes as the nation joins the rest of the world in commemorating the International Youth Day which falls on 12 August each year.
The observation this year is taking place under the theme “From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development”, putting emphasis on the key role of digitalization in transforming nations and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals.
“As you might be aware, over 80% of the SDGs are achievable via the use of technology and digitalization, which means in the first place you cannot move on much of those SGDs if you are not incorporating technology and digitalization in your efforts as a country or as a sector, therefore this makes it very instrumental in attaining our national and global aspirations,” said Suleman
According to Suleman, although Malawi has in recent years seen an improvement in internet penetration and usage among the youth, the progress falls short on using digital means for meaningful connectivity, as a result no value is being created or attained from such usages.
He therefore indicated the need to take advantage of the country’s population composition which consists of majority youth, in advancing the digitalization agenda if the country is to attain its developmental and economical aspirations.
He since disclosed that MACRA is implementing interventions for cheaper access to the internet as well as undertaking initiatives to improve digital literacy among the youth, for meaningful usage of the digital space.
“Among other things, we are running a project called “Connect a School” where we intend to establish five computer labs in each constituency in the country which will be used to distribute Wi-Fi in the communities as well as provide access to learners from secondary and primary schools. As the universal service fund, we are also supporting the rollout of the national broadband network which is called Yathu Yathu Data, which will offer an alternative of connectivity bundle to the current mobile internet bundles being offered on the market so that there should be a competition on the market, and at the same time establishing digital laws to ensure the space is safer from cybercrimes as our youth and making use of these platforms” explained Suleman.
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