Information Communication Technology (ICT) experts have attributed the country’s slow progress in ICT, to lack of collaboration in the Industry.

The players in ICT, meeting in Mangochi under Information and Communications Technology Association of Malawi (Ictam) have decried the lack of partnership between the private sector, the government and academia.

For instance, Mhub Chief Executive Officer, Vincent Kumwenda, said there is a need to create a conducive environment for ICT businesses. “We need to work together; the private sector, the government and academia. We need to make real investments in the tech start-ups, tech-skills alone are not enough, we need to pay attention to business skills and other soft skills,”

Adding to that, Sparc Systems Limited Chief Executive Officer, Wisely Phiri, said it was unfortunate that key stakeholders were still operating in isolation. Participants to the indaba also argued that there is a need for regulators to put in place policies that favour the growth of the industry.

True enough, Malawi has been stifling her own progress where ICT is concerned. Earlier this year, MRA and COSOMA introduced a 5% levy on media storage devices. ICTAM commented that the levy introduction will inhibit the sector from growing. In a press release, ICTAM outlined “..the introduction of the private copying levy is not only taking this country steps back in terms of development and promotion of ICT usage; it is also hindering efforts of making ICT to be universally accessible.”