- Malawi and Huawei partner under Smart Village initiative to boost internet access in rural areas.
- President Chakwera unveils the project at the China-Africa Cooperation Summit in Beijing.
- The initiative focuses on creating digital training centers for AI, cybersecurity and smart agriculture skills in rural communities.
Malawi has announced plans to launch a “Smart Village” initiative in collaboration with Huawei to improve internet access in rural communities.
President Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera revealed the initiative at the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation summit in Beijing.
The project aims to provide digital training centres in rural areas, equipping young people with skills in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and smart agriculture.
Key points to remember
With an internet penetration rate of just 27.7% and 5.86 million users as of early 2024, Malawi is looking to bridge the digital divide, especially in underserved areas. The Smart Village initiative follows Huawei’s similar efforts in Uganda, which include building digital infrastructure such as network towers and smart classroom equipment.
The initiative complements the World Bank’s Digital Malawi program, while Huawei’s broader investment plans in Africa, totaling $430 million over four years, focus on cloud development, local partnerships and digital skills training.
