PNG Digital ICT Cluster

12/04/2026

March 2026 meetings


Presenting at the Conservation and Environment Protection Authority (CEPA) (https://cepa.gov.pg/home) - PNG National Protected Area Network workshop.

Cluster had an opportunity to present at the Conservation and Environment Protection (CEPA) program on PNG's National Protected Area networks on the topic of "Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Data Valuation in Protected Area Networks (PAN)". Gratitude to Luania Poruan and team for the invitation.

📌Shared on the use of AI and Data in the Conservation, Environment Protection and Biodiversity space.

📌Appreciated also the rich presentations by our local conservationists from our four regions, our Rangers network and the young PNG researchers from Auckland University of Technology on data collection (lukimgather.org) and geospatial technology in supporting and protecting what is unique and valuable to our people and places.

📌We shared the importance of use of Machine Learning and National data repositories to build Large Language Models (LLMs) fitting for PNG's context and our unique global positioning in the era of Machine learning.

12/04/2026

2026 Q1 Highlights


Sharing our listing with Global Leadership forums and community

Honored to have ICT cluster referenced and listed on the prestigious global World Economic Forum (WEF) NGO website representing Papua New Guinea 🇵🇬. https://www.weforum.org/organizations/png-ict-cluster/

About WEF
'The World Economic Forum (WEF) is an international non-governmental organization based in Cologny, Switzerland, best known for its annual meeting in Davos. Founded in 1971 by Klaus Schwab, it serves as a platform for public-private cooperation, bringing together global leaders from business, politics, and academia to shape global agendas

WEF most recent annual meeting took place in early January 2026, focusing on rebuilding trust in a fragmented world.

✅Key Participants: Approximately 3,000 leaders from over 130 countries, including 64 heads of state and 830 CEOs. Notable attendees included Dario Amodei (Anthropic), Demis Hassabis (Google DeepMind), and Elon Musk.

✅Primary Topics: Discussions centered on the responsible deployment of AI, geopolitical stability, global growth projections, and building prosperity within planetary boundaries.'

https://www.weforum.org/videos/who-is-the-world-economic-forum/

The PNG ICT Cluster's goal is to stimulate a business environment where technology provides important productivity and economic benefit for PNG.

10/04/2026

March 2026 meetings


As an identified key stakeholder, cluster met with Asian Development Bank's Digital Sector Office through an invitation to discuss Digital Skills for Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI).

Led by ADB Digital Technology Specialist and team of experts online including our Pacific leadership Ann Vula Gill (Anju M), Cluster had an opportunity to share our current market footprint since inception, highlighting our role in fostering a thriving innovation ecosystem through the use of Digital ICTs.

The valued discussions focused on how PNG's local ICT sector can participate and be bolstered through:
📍 Scalable digital frameworks
📍 Public-private partnerships (PPPs) that drive domestic tech adoption.
📍 Bridging the gap between policy requirements and technical ex*****on.
📍 Ensuring that the digital transition is inclusive, secure, and powered by local expertise with global collaboration through improved Digital skills.

PNG is going through its Digital Transformation and its efforts and success is contingent upon a workforce capable of maintaining and innovating within these systems.

The meeting interviewed various stakeholders in PNG as part of the country's efforts for the deployment of DPIs and the new Digital ID for the country by Government through Department of ICT.

31/03/2026

2025 Cluster AGM - Thu 26 March 2026

The Cluster successfully convened its 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM)—marking its third official assembly—on Thursday, 26 March 2026, at the NRI Conference Room in Port Moresby.

During the proceedings, the Committee tabled several key items for member review and approval, including the 2024–2025 President’s Report and the Audited Financial Accounts for the years ending 2024 and 2025. The agenda further concluded with the election of office bearers, the appointment of extraordinary members, and the selection of the annual auditor for the 2026 Financial Year.

We are pleased to announce the newly appointed and re-elected members of the 2026 Committee.

1. Winifred Kula - President (re-elect)
2. Paul Muingnepe - Co VP Domestic (re-elect)
3. Priscilla Kevin - Co VP International (re-elect)
4. Leonard Wanusim - Secretary (re-elect)
5. Christopher Sean Vagalia - Honorary Treasurer (re-elect)
6. Sir Robin Gerard Fleming - Economic Industry Advisor (re-elect)
7. Russell Deka Harada - UPNG CEIT - Government rep (elect)
8. Vontis P***a - Niupay - Business rep (re-elect)
9. Bill Tomon - ICTS Manager PNG University of Technology - Academia rep (elect)

Congratulations to you all!

The AGM also served as a platform to celebrate the distinguished achievements of three of our serving members - Mr. Russell Deka Harada, Ms. Winifred Kula, and Ms. Priscilla Kevin, who were named recipients of the 50th Anniversary King’s Medal Awards 2025.

This prestigious honor recognizes their exemplary contributions and dedicated service across the Business, Community, and ICT sectors.

We expressed gratitude to our members, networks and partners for your continued support in driving the vision and mission of the Cluster.

27/02/2026

2026 beyond


All about timing!

In Feb 2018 during APEC Forum, cluster attended the International Tech Transfer program where PNG ST Secretariat presented on the domestic model for PNG.

'Thank you Dr Jeffrey N, Prof. Lohi M and the DHERST PNG Science and Technology Secretariat team for initiating the project for the "Development of a Domestic Innovation Systems and Network" for Papua New Guinea." It is due time! '

9 years on and almost a decade, we building out more of the ecosystem's components to thrive.

International Tech Transfer (ITT)

26/02/2026

26 February 2026

Remembering the Founding Father of our nation Hon. Michael T Somare today and all who went before us to create our paths.

In PNG, let us count and know our role models and heroes by name and let their stories shine brighter as great examples to follow in leading our great nation forward.

A great reminder to pursue what you believe for your nation and people!

Decades on.
Picture Source Credit: Paga Hill
https://www.pagahill.com/2021/03/11/vale-grand-chief-sir-michael-somare/

09/02/2026

2026 BEGINS!


We are proud to announce a significant milestone in the growth of Papua New Guinea’s technology ecosystem. On Thursday, February 5th, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was officially signed between The University Of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) Center of Excellence in IT (CEIT) and the PNG Digital ICT Cluster, marking the formal establishment of the nation’s 4th Innovation Hub.

🎯A Growing Network of Innovation
This latest expansion builds upon a strategic foundation of regional and academic hubs designed to foster digital entrepreneurship across the country:

1st & 2nd Hubs (2025): The Digital MSME Business Hubs, located in Moresby South and Motu Koita, established in partnership with NICTA UAS to support local micro-enterprises.

3rd Hub (2022): The first academic-integrated hub, launched at the PNG University of Technology (Unitech) in Lae, Morobe Province. Cluster is supporting the CEFI Fintech Hub with Unitech and NICTA UAS designed to nurture the growth of Fintech startups, providing them with the specialized resources and regulatory environment needed to flourish.

4th Hub (2026): Our newest addition at UPNG, further bridging the gap between higher education and industry-ready innovation.

🏆National Impact and Strategic Alignment
This initiative is a core component of the National CORE ICT Incubation Program. Operating under a five-year MoU with the PNG Department of Information and Communications Technology, the program is closely aligned with the Kumul Consolidated Holdings (KCH) and the Kumul Technology Development SOE model which is being developed.

By integrating these hubs into the national framework, we are ensuring that the next generation of PNG innovators has the institutional support required to compete on a global scale.

⏰ Looking Ahead: Our Strategic Pillars
As the Cluster looks beyond 2026, our mission remains focused on driving the digital economy through four key strategic pillars:

📍 Policy Development: Actively crafting and contributing to the essential frameworks that govern and protect our digital future.

📍 Entrepreneurship Education: Equipping students and professionals with the tools to build viable tech businesses.

📍 Incubation & Acceleration: Providing the infrastructure and investment pathways necessary for innovation to thrive.

📍 Economic Digitization: Promoting the digital transformation of traditional industries through the ICT sector.

We acknowledge the invaluable support of our institutions leadership the Vice Chanceller Ian Findlay, Associate Prof and Director of CEIT. Russell Deka Harada, UPNG Alumni - Law & Cluster Patron Davis Stevens and Kumulsoft co founder Paul Muingnepe.

As active members, we are dedicated to driving the digital transformation of our nation and contributing to its long-term socio-economic evolution.

✅Sharing Innovation. Creating our Future.

04/01/2026

AGM NOTICE 2025


The PNG Digital ICT Cluster will be holding its 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Thursday 29 January 2026 10am-12noon at the National Research Institute (NRI) Conference Hall, Gerehu, Port Moresby, NCD.

Financial members can email [email protected] for more information and to confirm your attendance.

24/12/2025

2025 is coming to an end.

🏖️Take a break during this season and soak up the sun. Let work take a vacation and tell us what it means to wind down.😎

01/12/2025

November Highlights...


Papua New Guinea Digital Transformation Summit 2025 (DTS25)

The ICT Cluster successfully delivered its third (3rd) HACKATHON in the market place in partnership with U.S. technology leader ORACLE from 24–27 November at the Stanley Hotel, Port Moresby, as part of Papua New Guinea’s second Digital Transformation Summit (DTS25).

During the four-day program, we delivered mentoring and guidance of seven (7) LOCAL university student teams of 4 members through the process of defining their unique value propositions and developing their pitch decks for their Digital ICT solutions. The student solutions aimed to address key challenges in Papua New Guinea’s EDUCATION sector, leveraging the newly integrated Government digital ID platform, Sevispas.

Participating Teams
1. CrimsonX – AI Teacher (Winner) 🏆
2. CyberHack – TeachTrack 🎖️
3. EduTech – EduTech 🎖️
4. Innov8 – Sevis-ED 🎖️
5. LateTech – Coding Hub 🎖️
6. TechMinds – CareerNexus 🎖️
7. TechStack – Sevis D.E.R.S (1st Runner-Up) 🥇

Program Overview
Day 1 (9:00am – 4:00pm)
Teams received training and mentorship from ICT Cluster facilitators on developing their unique value propositions and translating them into compelling pitch decks. Each team presented its initial VP and refined it into a concise, brand-like value statement. Oracle provided an introductory session on Oracle Cloud Infrastructure.

Day 2 (9:00am – 4:00pm)
Teams conducted their first seven-minute pitch deck rehearsal and received targeted feedback from Cluster facilitator and mentor Ms. Priscilla Kevin, Vice President International, Computer Scientist, and Tech Entrepreneur. Oracle continued with further training, introducing Oracle database technologies.

Day 3 (9:00am – 4:00pm)
Teams presented their second dry-run pitch decks, this time with test judges and preliminary prototypes. Special appreciation goes to our test judges—Rozario (Computer Scientist and 2024 PNG University of Technology Hackathon Winner), Dr. Benson Mirou, Dr. Singh (Faculty of Science, School of Mathematics and Computer Science), and Vagiriki Dickson—for their valuable insights and constructive critiques.

Day 4 (9:00am – 10:30am)
Teams delivered their final pitches before the judging panel and were evaluated across six criteria: Relevance, Impact, Innovation, Feasibility, Presentation, and Prototype Functionality.

Final Judges on the panel were 1) Sutherland - BSP Financial Group Ltd - IT 2) Winifred K – President, PNG Digital ICT Cluster 3) Dr. Benson M – PNG University of Technology 4) Joshua P – DevOps Manager, DICT and 5) Sailen K - Director Innovation and Project Services – Oracle Customer Engineering

Winners were announced during the main plenary session in front of all Summit attendees.

We congratulate all participating teams for their commitment to solving Papua New Guinea’s challenges through Digital ICT innovation.

Special thanks to the PNG Digital ICT Cluster team and networks - Emma Amini, Vagiriki Dickson, the PNGUoT team, Team EnovaX (Emily Lea and team) for facilitating Scratch coding sessions, Team Re*****on (Esther and team) for their support with gifts, our President Winifred Kula and main program facilitator and mentor Ms Priscilla Kevin VP International.

Gratitude to the PNG Department of Information and Communications Technology, partners, and sponsors for the eventful summit and collaborations.

23/11/2025

November highlights...


Cluster is supporting networks to strengthen next-generation youth leadership initiatives and these are:

1) The YWCA National Network
YWCA youth members have actively participated in Cluster’s signature conferences and hackathons, demonstrating strong interest in innovation and digital skills.

2) The Future Horizon - Papua New Guinea
A newly formed, self-organized youth leadership network comprising young leaders from across the country who advocate for youth empowerment and development.

On 16 November, Cluster met with members of the Port Moresby Chapter of The Future Horizon. This emerging youth talent network is led by highly capable and motivated young Papua New Guineans-recent university graduates who are seeking employment opportunities, mentorship, and professional networks.

Cluster also supported The Future Horizons’ first digital learning session 2025, hosted in Milne Bay Province, which introduced communities to digital tools, internet literacy, and technology applications.

We look forward to collaborating closely with our youth networks to advance the digital transformation of our economy through our Hub models and to showcase the immense talent and potential within Papua New Guinea’s young population.