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Illovo Sugar Malawi Plc has made a significant contribution to higher education in the country by donating ten high-performance computers valued at K30 million to the Catholic University of Malawi (CUNIMA). The initiative is not only aimed at strengthening the university’s ICT capacity but also serves as a tribute to the late Prof. Ngeyi Kanyongolo, who was CUNIMA’s Vice-Chancellor until her passing in October 2024.
The computers, presented at CUNIMA’s Chisombezi campus in Chiradzulu District, were officially handed over to the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Francis Moto, by Illovo’s Head of Legal and Corporate Affairs, Maureen Kachingwe. She explained that Illovo’s decision was both to honour Prof. Kanyongolo and to respond to the university’s need for modern ICT tools that would enhance research, improve digital literacy, and increase academic productivity.
“By investing in higher education, Illovo Sugar Malawi is contributing to the development of a skilled workforce and supporting Malawi’s long-term socio-economic growth,” Kachingwe said. She emphasized that access to advanced ICT resources will equip students with the digital skills required in the competitive job market, ensuring that Malawi’s graduates remain relevant in a rapidly changing world.
Prof. Kanyongolo, a respected lawyer, academic, and the third Vice-Chancellor of CUNIMA, had made an appeal for ICT support from corporate stakeholders before her death. She had been appointed to the position in March 2024 by the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM). Her passing later that year left a mark on the academic community, making Illovo’s gesture a symbolic fulfilment of her vision for the university.
Receiving the donation, Dr. Moto expressed gratitude on behalf of the Catholic University, stressing the value of partnerships between educational institutions and the private sector. “We appreciate Illovo Sugar Malawi’s commitment to education and community development. This donation will significantly enhance our ICT capabilities, providing our students with the tools they need to succeed in an increasingly digital world,” he said.
The donation comes at a time when universities in Malawi face challenges in expanding their digital infrastructure to meet the growing demand for online learning, research, and advanced data analysis. ICT capacity is seen as critical not only for enhancing academic performance but also for preparing students to take up leadership roles in various sectors of the economy.
Illovo Sugar Malawi has over the years supported national development through investments in education, health, and community projects. According to the company, such initiatives reflect its corporate responsibility strategy, which prioritises empowering local communities and building long-term capacity for economic transformation.
The investment in ICT at CUNIMA is expected to directly impact teaching and research. Students and lecturers will have improved access to academic resources, data processing tools, and internet-based platforms, which are increasingly important in global academic standards. Beyond classrooms, the initiative will also help the institution attract research funding and collaborations by showcasing its ability to integrate modern technology into its academic framework.
Education stakeholders in Malawi have often highlighted the importance of partnerships between the private sector and learning institutions. By contributing to ICT development, Illovo Sugar Malawi is setting an example for other corporate entities to support universities in areas such as infrastructure, scholarships, and skills development.
The gesture also reinforces Malawi’s broader development agenda, which identifies education and human capital development as central to achieving long-term socio-economic goals under the MW2063 vision. A digitally skilled workforce is considered essential for driving industrialisation, job creation, and sustainable economic growth in the country.
Through this donation, Illovo has not only responded to the needs of Catholic University but also honoured the legacy of the late Prof. Kanyongolo, who believed in the power of education as a transformative tool. Her commitment to improving academic standards at CUNIMA continues to inspire initiatives that aim to empower young Malawians with the knowledge and skills necessary for national development.
