Malawi's young tech innovators break national boundaries

Malawi: As Africa and the world at large continue to face numerous challenges, such as the transitioning global economy, climate change, and population growth, among others, humans have grown increasingly desperate for solutions.

The twenty-first century, as we know it, is largely technologically advanced, and in some very significant ways, technology has found its way to providing our world with the solutions it so desperately desires.

Horace Chipembere, a drone engineer, is a young driven individual who is breaking down national boundaries and addressing challenges associated with youth unemployment through technology and innovation.

Chipembere and his team were victorious in Rwanda this year in the Technology Hackathon Competition under Generation Connect Global Youth Summit, where his team under the banner DigiSkills won an innovative idea award in the Hackathon competition.

The competition is intended to encourage young people to use their knowledge, creativity, and skills to solve a problem using software in order to address a variety of national challenges.

Chipembere said: "As of 2021, the youth unemployment rate was 10.6 percent, and while job opportunities are available, information sharing is difficult. We discovered that the majority of job opportunities are available online and require internet access, which prevents young people from taking advantage of them."

"Our solution is an SMS-based job opportunity sharing platform where credible and vetted Job opportunities will be sent to subscribed youths via SMS. Our idea allows inclusion because it is not internet-based and does not require a smartphone to access, allowing youths in remote areas to access the opportunities."

Chipembere, who was enthusiastic about the award, which was presented to his team in Rwanda, stated that the recognition is critical for Malawi's technology and innovation sector.

"This award has increased the visibility of Malawian Youths in Tech, which may attract investors for young genius minds in our technology sector," he said.

In addition, the young inventor stated: "The dedication and determination we had to develop our ideas into a solution resulted in a unique story from which others can learn. This is also a chance for people to learn about our country and for us to collaborate with other Genius Technological minds from Malawi and elsewhere."

Chipembere won the Hackathon award in Rwanda alongside a Malawian fellow, Sandra Phiri, a Malawi College of Accountancy auditing and information systems student (MCA). The two Malawian innovators also had the opportunity to collaborate with Mauritius team member Krshtee Sukhbilas on their ideas.

Chipembere, in addition to being a part of the international award-winning idea, says he is currently working on a web and mobile application called Chipatala Cha Pakhomo (Health at Home), an innovation that will focus on ensuring healthy lives and promoting the well-being of the country's citizens.

He believes that innovation is critical to sustainable development, which is consistent with Sustainable Development Goal 3 of Good Health and Well-being.