By Brenda Kayo:
The National Statistical Office (NSO) will, in the next three months, conduct the fourth National Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) survey to assess access to, and the use of, digital technologies across Malawi.
The survey will be conducted in all districts, including Dzaleka Refugee Camp in Dowa District, in partnership with the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (Macra).
According to Commissioner of Statistics Shelton Kanyanda, the exercise will generate updated official statistics on ICT access, ownership and usage at household and individual levels, providing a clearer picture of the country’s digital landscape.
The survey will culminate in the collection of information on mobile phone and computer ownership, internet access and use, digital financial services, e-commerce, cybersecurity awareness, child online protection and other key ICT indicators.
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The statistics are expected to help the government and other stakeholders assess Malawi’s progress in digital transformation and identify gaps that need to be addressed to ensure wider access to ICT services.
Kanyanda said the findings would also support the monitoring and evaluation of national development plans and inform policy formulation and implementation of key national frameworks, including the National ICT Policy and the Malawi 2063 vision.
The survey comes at a time digital technologies are increasingly becoming important in communication, financial transactions, education, business and access to public services.
NSO has, therefore, appealed to all selected households and members of the public to cooperate with field officers by providing accurate information during the data collection period.
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“We kindly request all selected households and the general public to cooperate fully with field officers during the data collection period,” the statement reads.
He said the participation of households would be crucial in ensuring that the survey produces reliable and representative statistics that can guide decisions on Malawi’s digital development.
Field officers are expected to visit selected households during the survey period, and the information collected would contribute to building a comprehensive national picture of ICT access and usage.
