Director of science, technology and Innovation in the ministry Dr. Chomora Mikeka says since most existing industries in Malawi are yet to fully migrate to digital, those acquiring new computer skills should begin to fill the gap.

He was speaking Friday in Lilongwe at the closing of the week long computer and ICT skills training for 50 university students from across the country under the Seed for the future programme by China’s Huawei Technologies.

He said young people with computer and ICT skills should not only wait to be employed by others but use the skills to establish their own firms saying this will also contribute to the achievement of the digital transformation agenda.

“We are graduating a cadre of young people who each one of them can have a spin of brand new industry, we want these ones to roll out companies, some have already done it, government simplified business registration,” said Mikeka.

He said this will not only help to create jobs for themselves and others but also help the country achieve the digital transformation agenda.

He has since urged institutions to emulate the gesture demonstrated by Huawei Technologies by helping in investing in young people to improve their digital skills.

Rejoice Banda is a fourth year student from the University of Malawi who participated in the training which she said has broadened her perspective of artificial intelligence which was part of the training areas.

“Its very beneficial to my career as well as my school because it has added on to the knowledge base that I have, I’ve also come to understand that working in a team is really important,” said Banda.

The annual seed for the future training program has so far benefited about 200 Malawian students who have been imparted with computer and ICT skills as well as learning the Chinese culture according to Huawei Technologies Director in Malawi Gomez Gu.