Dr. Wisely Phiri is a prominent Malawian entrepreneur and the Managing Director of Sparc Systems Limited, an IT company.
Raised in a challenging environment, he overcame adversity to become a leader in technology across Africa.
Under his guidance, Sparc Systems has expanded into Zambia and Rwanda, providing innovative IT solutions, including the UCS Sacco system for financial institutions and SARIS for academic record management.
Phiri is also involved in community development, notably constructing classrooms for his former primary school, demonstrating his commitment to giving back to society.
Education
Phiri holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Information Technology, Innovation, and Business from UNICAF University.
He also studied at the University of Malawi from 2002 to 2007 and received certifications in various IT disciplines, including Sun Certified Engineer and multiple Oracle and NetApp credentials.
Early career
Phiri’s journey in the IT sector began with his role as a Network Administrator at Malawi SDNP (Sustainable Development Networking Programme), where he gained valuable experience in managing networks and understanding the infrastructure of information technology.
Following his tenure at Malawi SDNP, Phiri worked as a Systems and Network Engineer at IT Centre, where he further honed his skills in systems management, network configuration, and troubleshooting.
Founding Sparc Systems Limited
In 2013, driven by a vision to bridge the skills gap in enterprise IT across Africa, Phiri founded Sparc Systems Limited.
He recognized that many organizations lacked access to advanced technological solutions and skilled professionals.
Under Phiri’s leadership, Sparc Systems quickly established itself as a key player in the African IT landscape.
The company focuses on delivering tailored solutions for various sectors, including telecommunications, financial institutions, and education.
For instance, they developed systems like the UCS Sacco system, which streamlines operations for savings and credit cooperatives, and implemented solutions such as SARIS (Student Academic Record Information System) to enhance academic management for institutions.
Sparc Systems has been at the forefront of technological innovation in the region, consistently adapting to emerging trends and technologies.
Phiri has initiated projects aimed at improving educational facilities, such as constructing classrooms for his former primary school.
What does Sparc Systems Limited do?
Sparc Systems Limited is a leading IT solutions integrator operating across Africa, with physical offices in Malawi, Zambia, and Rwanda.
The company specializes in providing enterprise-level IT services, including system integration, data consolidation, virtualization, disaster recovery solutions, and database management.
Sparc Systems has implemented solutions for various sectors, notably banking, telecommunications, and government institutions, enhancing their operational efficiencies.
The firm is recognized for its expertise in delivering tailored IT solutions that address specific client needs while ensuring robust support across its operational regions.
Awards and accolades
Recently, Phiri was awarded Africa’s Most Impactful and Innovative Business Leader at a ceremony in Tanzania.
Additionally, Sparc Systems Zambia was honored as the Best ICT Service Provider during the Information and Communication Technology Association of Zambia (ICTAZ) awards gala.
This acknowledgment highlights the company’s commitment to delivering exceptional IT solutions and local support while fostering a skill-focused growth culture among its employees.
