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Internet access to boost economy in rural areas—Dausi

 

Minister of Information and Communications Technology  Nicholas Dausi has said government is committed to link rural communities to global activities through the Internet.

The minister said this on Wednesday when he opened Chonde Telecentre in Mulanje.

The centre will offer services such as Internet, photocopy, Airtel Money and Mpamba, among others.

Dausi (C) cutting the ribbon during the launch of the telecentre

Dausi said government wants rural communities to be Internet literate because it is a driving force for socio-economic development.

“Malawi is the sixth fastest growing country in terms of internet connectivity in the Southern Africa Development Community (Sadc) region. This project will help farmers to directly get in touch with buyers locally and internationally. It will also help farmers to know how much their produce is fetching on the market before deciding to sell.

“Through the Internet, people can buy goods, access health services and also study,” he said.

Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (Macra) director general Godfrey Itaye said the regulator’s role is to ensure universal access to information and communications technology (ICT) for Malawians.

“Our role is to ensure that access to the Internet is everywhere and that Malawians should do their businesses through the Internet,” he said.

In his remarks, Mulanje South West legislator George Chaponda said the centre will make a difference in terms of knowledge, especially to students.

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