National Bank of Malawi has donated K2 million to support Information and Communications Technology Association of Malawi's (ICTAM) expo and urged the body to play a pivotal role in ensuring issues faced by Malawians in dealing with the ICT sector are brought under control.

The bank's Head of Cards and E-Banking Division Williams Kaunda said this when presenting the cheque for the expo which is set to take place at Bingu International Convention Centre from August 22 in Lilongwe.

Kaunda said the ICT sector is riddled with poorly qualified ICT practitioners saying most of them are learning the craft in undesignated corners of towns.

He also raised issues of practitioners that lack ethics, aid and abate fraudulent acts and the high cost of ICT services.

“ICT usage has proliferated into various areas of society for example we have seen hospitals being fully automated, election being automated, we as a corporate citizen look forward to active role of ICTAM in these,” he said.

He pointed out ICTAM events should not just be an annual meeting point or vacation period for the IT cold rooms but should be a catalyst of innovations. 

 “To us as a bank ICT is improving delivery, we have introduced mobile products, internet-based products, card-based products that are used worldwide as well as a number of self-service channels. All in an effort to improve quality of life of our customers who are the back bone of our business,” he said.

Treasurer General for ICTAM Tuntufye Mwamlima receiving the check said: “We appreciate the sponsorship from National Bank and this will go a long way.

“We have invited local and international businesses both from government and the private sector to showcase their products and services as well as talk policy with industry players," she said.

Commenting on the topics Kaunda raised Mwamlima said they will address the issues during their break away sessions at the expo to engage on solutions.