MIT Solve

Solution Overview

Solution Name:

Digital bar Project

One-line solution summary:

Supports accessibility of digital solutions to under-served population in Mzimba and Chitipa Districts of Malawi

Pitch your solution.

Digital technology is rapidly transforming the way people, businesses, and governments communicate, transact, and access information and services. Since the global economic financial crisis, the number of unemployed young people has soared to an estimated 73.4 million young people, representing 12.6 per cent of the total young population according to (Commonwealth, 2018)

Traditional jobs are being transformed, and new forms of work are being created. Large companies are increasingly contracting smaller firms in other countries to perform entire business processes and functions. According to (WorldBank, 2018), this rapidly changing world requires a new set of skills for young workers. It is estimated that the number of roles requiring digital skills will grow by 12% by 2024.

To face future challenges, We are providing digital skill to young people and women to be both resilient and adaptable to competition and changing circumstances. If scalled globally, people wil have equal access.

What specific problem are you solving?

Looking at the future of the workforce and the future of humanity reveals that future generations need to be prepared to compete in a rapidly changing job market and to approach large-scale human challenges posed by new technologies, particularly the increasing trend towards automation.

Every year, in Malawi over 50,000 youths enter the job market after completing tertiary or secondary education. However, due to the shrinking job market, most are unable to be absorbed in the job market. If not unemployed then most are underemployed. Lack of employability skills is ranked among the top reasons for youth unemployment in the country.

This comes as a result of the education system in Malawi which is more academic-oriented than industry-based. Employers opt to recruit experienced candidates to cut costs (money and time) for capacity building activities (training)

Due to low digital literacy, productivity is low as processes take too long to be completed leading to losses in business. young people and women are also unable to penetrate the job market due to a lack of digital skills. ICT infrastructure is also expensive to an average Malawian as currently, mobile phone penetration is at 43% and internet connectivity approximately 22%.

What is your solution?

Through the Digital Bar project, Mzuzu Entrepreneur hub recruits young people and women from the community and train them in industry driven digital skills including; End-user Computing, Computer programming, Website development, Graphic Designing, Digital Marketing, Data management, and Photography and Videography for a period of 6 works.

The trainees are then attached to companies and organizations to experience groundwork and further develop the carrier. In addition, outstanding students are enrolled in a business incubation program where they further develop prototypes of services and get supported with a go-to-market strategy.

Through the training program, the trainees have access to computers, Cameras, graphics pads, and the internet among other technologies to be supported in their learning.

Trainees are also linked to mentors who support them in each and every step in developing their prototypes

Who does your solution serve, and in what ways will the solution impact their lives?

The northern region of Malawi has a high number of females which was estimated at 1, 173, 871 compared to 1, 113, 089 of the total male population. At the same time, 60% of the population in the northern region is between 0 years to 25 years. The project will target 30 Tech Companies in the northern region of Malawi who will be trained on product modelling, and with a go-to-market strategy.

The digital bar will also target 30 women who from women-led organization, association, and movements who will be trained in the use of digital technologies for their documentation.

At the same time, the project will reach out to 2000 youths and women with industry-driven digital skills preparing for the future digital job market.

Which dimension of the Challenge does your solution most closely address?

Equip everyone, regardless of age, gender, education, location, or ability, with culturally relevant digital literacy skills to enable participation in the digital economy.

Explain how the problem you are addressing, the solution you have designed, and the population you are serving align with the Challenge.

While Digital technology is a need due to globalization, only a hand full of people have access to digital technologies in Malawi. the digital gap is wide between the haves and the don't haves'.

When covid19 hit in 2019, the government ordered for closure of schools and public spaces. Working from home was a strange thing for most Malawians which meant the hunt for jobs was almost undoable

The solution we are providing relates highly to the selected challenge dimmesnsion as we aim to provide digital skills to young people and women to enable their participation in the digital economy.

In what city, town, or region is your solution team headquartered?

Mzuzu, Malawi

What is your solution’s stage of development?

Growth: An organization with an established product, service, or business model rolled out in one or, ideally, several communities, which is poised for further growth.

Explain why you selected this stage of development for your solution.

Mzuzu entrepreneur hub has been supporting young people in the ity with digital skills for two years and has testem models that work. while digital skills will enable them participate in the digital economy. We have been providing the skills in the city and there is a need for nurturing young people to run businesses.

Together with the ministry of youth through the district youth office we call for applications and circulate in youth networks and select participants based on their course of interest. after training them, they are attached to other organizations and companies for practical experience of the skills aquired.

Who is the Team Lead for your solution?

Austin Moyo