Lilongwe, June 10: Government in conjunction with the National Lotteries Board, on Wednesday awarded a licence to Gidani International Limited, a South Africa-based lottery company to operate the National Lottery in the country.
Speaking during the award ceremony in Lilongwe which also marked the signing of pre-operations agreement between government and Gidani International, Minister of Information, Kondwani Nankhumwa said government appreciated the role investors play in the development of the country.
“The coming in of Gidani International Limited to operate the national lottery means investing money into the business. While operating the business, the company will be paying tax which government will be using in developing the country, including infrastructure development,” Nankhumwa said.
The minister said the interest shown by the South Africa based company to operate in Malawi demonstrated the political will government of Malawi had to allow investors to invest into the country.
“We are happy as government to see investors coming into the country and it is our hope that Gidani will follow rules and regulations as stipulated in the licence when operating,” Nankhumwa said.
He said the company would also create jobs for Malawians, sharpen skills of the workers and improve their livelihoods.
He however deplored a tendency by some companies which come into the country to operate businesses but leave within months of operation.
Also speaking during the function, Chairman of Gidani International Limited, Professor Bongani Khumalo said his company was happy to accept the licence from the Malawi Government which he said, makes them partners in the country’s socio-economic development.
“It is with a deep sense of humility, gratitude and duty that we commit ourselves to deliver on the provisions, directives, schedules and stipulations of the letter and spirit of this licence,” said Prof. Khumalo.
Prof. Khumalo said Gidani International through its subsidiary in Malawi would bring to Malawi, a bigger and better lottery than most jurisdictions in the world have ever experienced.
“We intend to use our technological innovations to deliver exciting games and fabulous prizes to our participants while we generate hundreds of millions of kwacha for good causes as proceeds of the sale of lottery tickets.
“The retail sector of the economy of the country in the form of individual entrepreneurs, small medium and large retailers and many more businesses will benefit by vending National Lottery products and games,” said Prof. Khumalo.
According to Khumalo, the company will soon start training selected and accredited businesses and individuals who have been nominated to become retailers and will be provided with equipment, consumables, shop fitting and support for free.
The chairman then pledged to work closely with the National Lotteries Board and the Malawi Government within the parameters of the legislation aimed at responsible and integrity rich participation in the national lottery.
The company, which is expected to start its operations in November, 2015, intends to roll out 2,500 point of sale terminals and 200 mobile instruments in the near future.
Gidani International is a South Africa based lottery management, infrastructure and technology supply company, whose mission is to provide exceptional gaming and lottery management through subsidiaries, associate entities and agencies in Africa and other continents and regions, in a manner that continually enhances the experience and value of one and all stakeholders.
