At the 2025 ICT Expo and Corporate Awards, held from 4th to 6th June 2025, the ICT Association of Malawi (ICTAM) proudly presented the Lifetime Achievement in ICT Award to Mr. Lester Tandwe in recognition of his outstanding and pioneering contributions to the ICT sector in Malawi.

Mr. Tandwe’s journey in ICT spans over three decades and is marked by a series of groundbreaking accomplishments that laid the foundation for the country’s digital development. Among his most notable achievements:

• Installed the first Local Area Network (LAN) at Mount Soche in 1990.

• Pioneered Malawi’s first ATM installation in 1993.

• Introduced digital data communications to Malawi in 1990.

• Implemented NEWBRIDGE Data Transmission Units (DTUs) — transforming how data was transmitted in the early days.

• Became the first Malawian to obtain CCNA Certification in 1998, setting a benchmark in professional ICT certification.

• Founded ICT Networks in 2000, a company that has trained and mentored numerous network engineers across Malawi.

• Designed the national IPv6 masterplan for the Government of Malawi, demonstrating technical foresight and commitment to sustainable internet infrastructure.

Mr. Tandwe has also served as a mentor and educator, inspiring a generation of network engineers and ICT professionals in the country.

This prestigious award is a reflection of ICTAM’s commitment to recognizing pioneers who have not only advanced technology but have also uplifted the ICT profession in Malawi. Mr. Tandwe’s visionary leadership and contributions continue to shape Malawi’s digital journey.