National Commission for Science and Technology Malawi

01/06/2026

Grant Recipient: Technology Transfer and Commercialisation

AGRIMEC is a Malawian enterprise transforming smallholder agriculture through locally designed farming technologies.

Their project, Empowering Smallholder Farmers through Locally Made Agricultural Tools, develops affordable equipment such as solar powered irrigation pumps and digital grain threshers tailored for rural farmers especially women and youth.

With support from the Technology Transfer and Commercialisation grant, AGRIMEC Limited will scale production and deployment, reducing post-harvest losses, improving food security and creating jobs through training in fabrication and maintenance.

The initiative offers a sustainable, locally driven solution with strong commercialisation potential through sales, rentals and cooperative partnerships

27/05/2026

Grant Recipient: Technology Transfer and Commercialisation
Meet Leonorah Mahata, a young innovator dedicated to transforming small businesses in Malawi. She developed PalmPOS, a handheld Point of Sale system designed for traders in low-resource environments.

PalmPOS is currently available as both a mobile app and a handheld device, giving businesses the flexibility to manage sales and inventory.

Following successful pilot testing supported by NCST, she aims to use the Technology Transfer and Commercialisation grant to scale PalmPOS to over 300 small businesses while exploring partnerships to integrate mobile money services.

The initiative aims to bridge the gap between informal trading and the digital economy by empowering small businesses with practical, locally developed technology.

26/05/2026

Grant Recipient: Technology Transfer and Commercialisation

Meet Prince Thawani, a young Malawian technologist focused on developing innovative solutions for environmental safety and disaster risk management.

His innovation, the Landslide Early Warning System (LEWS), is designed to monitor and predict landslides in high-risk areas through the use of real-time data collection, environmental sensing technologies, and community-based alert mechanisms. The system aims to provide timely warnings that can help reduce the impact of landslides on communities, infrastructure, and the environment.

The support from NCST will assist in further developing, testing, and scaling LEWS for deployment in vulnerable communities, with potential for commercialisation and adoption by disaster management organizations and related sectors.

25/05/2026

Grant Recipient: Technology Transfer and Commercialisation
Meet Spark Wilson Spink, a Malawian technologist developing innovative solutions in cyber security training.

His platform, DS Terminal a Cyber Security Cinematic Simulation Terminal Tool, is a command line based system that simulates real world cyber threats in a safe, interactive environment, helping users build practical digital security skills.

With the grant from NCST, Wilson will further develop and commercialise the DS Terminal through licensing, training programs and a freemium model.

The technology aims to strengthen cyber security awareness, support institutions and SMEs, and contribute to Malawi’s digital resilience in growing tech ecosystem.

22/05/2026

We were in Blantyre last week, on 15th May,2026, for the first Malawi Technology Transfer Office’s Seminar hosted by the Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS).

We celebrate this milestone which brought together stakeholders working to enhance IP management practices, strengthen commercialization pathways, and advance industry partnerships.

As the principal advisory institution on Science and Technology matters in Malawi, NCST has championed the establishment of TTOs in academic institutions.
The journey began in 2021 after noting the critical gap that exists between the research community and the industry, largely due to the absence of clear technology transfer systems to help transform research and innovation into tangible market products.

Through the Department of Technology Transfer and Commercialisation, NCST has facilitated the establishment and licensing of TTOs at MUBAS, and Mzuzu University. NCST is currently in the process of licensing other universities.
NCST, therefore, commends MUBAS and all TTO stakeholders for their commitment to strengthening the community of practice through knowledge sharing and collaboration.

22/05/2026

https://sgciafrica.org/malawi-bets-on-homegrown-fertiliser-as-field-trials-advance/

Field trials testing a locally developed organo-mineral fertiliser are showing early promise in Malawi, with the country's science funding body taking a hands-on approach to tracking progress.

20/05/2026

Today we celebrate Daniel Kwizombe, one of our grant recipients under the Technology Transfer and Commercialisation Grant.

Kwizombe is the founder of DEK Engineering and Electrical Contractors Limited, a company dedicated to advancing sustainable energy solutions in Malawi.

He received the grant in November 2023 to expand production of Eka-Lite LED bulbs. He used the grant to refine the prototype, purchase manufacturing equipment, register the Ekalite trademark and produce an initial 10,000 units of the product. Today, the energy efficient bulbs can be found in stores across the country.

Since then, he has also ventured into the production of durable Ekalite switches and sockets with additional support from NCST. Using advanced electrical principles, the sockets feature highly conductive copper contacts for efficient current flow, strong insulating materials like ceramic and plastic for maximum safety, and electromagnetic compatibility to reduce interference.

According to Kwizombe, the Ekalite sockets guarantee reliable, safe, and efficient electrical performance for homes, offices, and industrial applications worldwide.

20/05/2026

NCST was honoured to attend the launch of the Technology Needs Assessment (TNA) Report for Malawi, which was organised by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology in partnership with the United Nations Technology Bank for the Least Developed Countries.

The TNA serves as a tool to help guide the implementation of the Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Policy. It provides an assessment of Malawi's technology needs that align with the country’s development priorities.

NCST is committed to supporting the implementation of the report's recommendations, which include investing in technology application across the key sectors of Agriculture, Mining, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), and Energy.

The launch of the report was presided over by the Deputy Minister of Education, Science and Technology, Honourable Francis Foley, MP on 13th May, 2026 in Lilongwe. The event brought together stakeholders from Universities, Research Communities, Business Enterprises, Government Departments and Agencies, and the International Community.

Other speakers included Mr Deodat Maharaj, Managing Director of the UN Technology Bank and the representative of the United Nations Coordinator in Malawi, Dr Hyoung Joon Lim, WFP Country Representative.

Access the full report here:
Replace with our link: https://ncst.mw/technology-needs-assessmentfor-the-republicof-malawi-2026-report/

14/05/2026

Announcement!

The National Commission for Science and Technology is pleased to inform the general public that Government has gazetted the Science and Technology (Prescribed Activities) Order, 2026; and the Science and Technology (Licensing of Prescribed Activities) Regulations, 2026 to operationalize Section 38 of the Science and Technology Act.

The order and the regulations present a list of activities that shall not be carried out, except under the authority of a license issued by the Commission.

The regulations are aimed at ensuring effective governance, coordination and promotion of Research, Science, Technology and Innovation (RSTI) in the country to address research and development standards; innovation and technology transfer frameworks; ethical and safety compliance measures; and institutional roles and responsibilities.

Some of the prescribed activities include research studies involving access, collection and transfer of plant and animal genetic material for research; research studies in biotechnology; research studies involving genome editing in plants and animals; and research studies in nuclear sciences.

The regulations provide clear procedures for licensing, reporting, inspections and compliance, which will help promote accountability, responsible research, and ethical technological development.

11/05/2026

Did you know?

NCST offers dissertation grants to support research undertaken as part of an academic programme to qualify for a Master’s or a Doctorate Degree.

The grants are designed to fund research projects that align with Malawi’s national research priorities. Successful applicants can receive up to K5,000,000 for a Master's research project and K7,000,000 for a Doctoral research project.

While the focus is on postgraduate research, exceptional undergraduate research projects may also be considered if they address national research priorities outlined in the National Research Agenda. Contact [email protected] for more information.