MZUZU-(MaraviPost)-Alinafe Kaliwo has been recognized as one of the top 10 best technology innovators on the continent in the 4th African Telecommunications Union (ATU) Innovation Challenge which recognizes digital innovation across Africa.
Kaliwo, who is founder and CEO of Mechro Limited said his innovation, Chameleon Tools, a soil moisture monitoring system designed specifically for smallholder farmers, earned him the prestigious recognition.
The challenge—held under the banner of the African Union through ATU, and supported by global partners including Huawei, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and Strathmore University’s @iLabAfrica—aims at spotlighting Africa’s brightest minds in solving real-world problems through technology.
Said Kaliwo: “The technology uses simple sensors to guide irrigation decisions, helping farmers avoid overwatering or underwatering and, in turn, boosting yields and water-use efficiency.”
At present, he said, Mechro Limited is working on Chameleon AI which will be a cutting-edge digital platform that uses artificial intelligence to process farm data and provide personalized advice to farmers in real time.
According to him, the AI system aims to further close the information gap among rural farmers by offering predictive insights, crop recommendations, and decision support—making it a game-changer for climate-smart agriculture in Malawi and beyond.
He explained that the innovation responds directly to the challenges faced by farmers battling climate change, erratic rainfall, and limited extension services.
“Malawi’s smallholder farmers are hardworking, but they are under-equipped. These tools are designed to give them the power of data and technology—right in their hands,” he explained.
Kaliwo, a technology entrepreneur and researcher, emphasized that Chameleon Tools are already in use in parts of Malawi, and early results show improved crop resilience and smarter water management practices.
While the ATU award is a major milestone, Kaliwo was quick to point out that local innovators need more than international recognition—they need local investment, policy support, and partnerships to scale-up impact.
“I want to appeal to the Government of Malawi, development partners, and the private sector for help. We have the talent, we have the ideas, but we lack adequate support,” he said.
He added: “Innovation must be viewed as a critical pillar for development, especially in sectors like agriculture where poverty is most entrenched.”
According to him, government departments, especially in agriculture, ICT, and education, should integrate locally developed innovations like Chameleon AI into national programmes, saying they are key in achieving Malawi 2063’s aspirations of inclusive wealth creation and climate resilience.