Malawi

Malawi is taking bold steps to address gender and inclusivity gaps in its national science, technology, and innovation (STI) system. With women and girls making up more than half of the population, Malawi understands that inclusive participation in STI is key to achieving sustainable socio-economic development. Persistent Gaps and Challenges Despite policy efforts, deep-rooted inequalities…

The Malawi National Commission for Science and Technology (NCST) is changing the country’s scientific landscape. Since becoming operational in 2009, they have grown from a coordinating body into the driving engine behind Malawi’s most significant scientific achievements. Under the leadership of Gift Kadzamira, the director general, the council successfully influenced national policy, as in 2022,…

Gender inequalities in science, technology, and innovation (STI) remain a global challenge. Women’s representation dwindles as they proceed through the ‘leaky’ STI pipeline (Huyer, 2019). Addressing gender equality and inclusion (GEI) in STI is an issue of social justice and socio-economic advancement on a national scale. Gender transformation is a UNESCO priority and is embedded…

In this interview, Gift Kadzamira, Director-General of Malawi’s National Commission for Science and Technology (NCST), outlines the substantial benefits the country’s research ecosystem has gained through the Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI). As an early SGCI member since 2015, Malawi has experienced notable growth and transformation. The initiative has provided essential training that has enhanced…

A collaborative research project was conducted in Malawi under the Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI). The initiative focused on strengthening the management of research competitions and research on emerging technologies and development. Specifically, it aimed to enhance the capacity of Malawi’s National Commission for Science and Technology (NCST). The project, implemented from 2021 to 2023,…

Project Titles & Institution Areas of Research Number of Projects being funded Project Duration Grant Amount In-Kind Distribution Council Collaboration with other councils

Project Titles & Institutions Areas of Research Biotechnology, mining technology, space science, digital communication technologies, climate smart technologies, AI, agro-processing and renewable energy Number of Projects being funded In-kind Distribution In-kind support (~USD 5K each) covering personnel, communications, transport, etc. Project Duration 15–30 months Council Research Council of Zimbabwe Collaboration with other councils Partnered with Malawi’s…

[BLANTYRE, MALAWI] A biogas plant in Malawi has transformed the lives of mothers, girls, and children in local communities by reducing reliance on firewood and providing them with clean and sustainable energy, its developers say. Only ten per cent of the Malawian population has access to electricity while the majority of the population relies on…

Malawi relies on ethanol as a sustainable and economical alternative to imported gasoline. Malawi is working to increase its ethanol production through public-private partnerships with the aim of producing a cheaper, cleaner fuel, according to a senior official. Ethanol, which is made from the starch in corn kernels, transformed into sugar and then fermented, is…

The Science Funding Agencies Initiative (SFAI) uses the “triple helix” approach to enable African researchers to collaborate with national government departments, the private sector and other researchers to advance science and address research funding challenges. Gift Kadzamira, Director General of the National Commission for Science and Technology in Malawi, an IOSRS member organization, points out…