By Patience Longwe

Lilongwe, May 16, Mana: Mvera Development Corporation Chairperson, Brigadier General John Chaika Junior, has described the Mvera Innovation Smart City as not only a development project but also a national symbol of transformation, which blends modern technology with Malawian identity and human potential.

Speaking during the Mvera Development Corporation Investors breakfast on Friday at Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe, Chaika said the event marks a significant step towards realizing smart city project, a flagship initiative aimed at transforming Malawi's economic landscape.

"Let's move from conversation to collaboration; from vision to investment; from plans to progress,” he said.

Chaika added that the smart city will feature in digital infrastructure and smart technologies by cutting-edge ICT infrastructure, high-speed internet connectivity, and smart city technologies.

According to Chaika, the project is expected to contribute significantly to Malawi's economic growth, creating over 200,000 jobs and generating revenue from domestic and international sources.

He, therefore, invited investors to become co-creators of this vision, offering access to prime development zones and public-private partnership packages.

Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) Director General, Daudi Suleman, emphasized the significance of Mvera Innovation City in spearheading the country's development through digitalization.

"The project is expected to bring world-class physical infrastructure and concentrate on digital skills and economy thereby consolidating efforts towards a proper digital economy," he said.

Suleman highlighted benefits of the project saying the innovation city will feature state-of-the-art infrastructure providing a conducive environment for digital innovation and entrepreneurship.

"If we embrace these elements into our service delivery, both public and private, we will become efficient as a country thereby saving a lot of costs. Most importantly, we will build a better economy for our nation," he said.

Mvera Innovation Smart City project aligns with Malawi's long-term development aspirations outlined in Malawi 2063, aiming for a technologically advanced and sustainable nation.

The 207-hactare smart city project has keynote zones of innovation hub, commercial zone, Green Park and recreation, solar farm and solar agriculture centre among others.