Once considered a foot-dragger on the technology front, Malawi seems to be making steady steps in making digitalisation the centre of its development focus.
At least that is the impression one gets from Ministry of Information and Digitalisation E-Government Director Paul Katema, who points out that digital transformation has become key to the attainment of the Malawi 2063 vision goals.
He made his position on the issue clear in Lilongwe, where the Malawi National E-Justice Conference was held from September 17 and 18 2024.
At the conference, participants gauged progress of Malawi’s ongoing digital transformation efforts and how they (efforts) aligned with broader national development goals.
“Our digital transformation agenda is not just a tool for digitalisation; it’s an enabler for achieving the Malawi 2063 vision of becoming a self-reliant, industrialised and middle-income country.
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“Our focus has been on leveraging digital technologies to accelerate socio-economic development. This means using technology not only to improve governance but also to enhance the delivery of public services in a digital way. Through these efforts, we are working to modernise the economy and integrate digital services across sectors including the justice sector,” he said.
Katema said through consultations, they had developed the National Digitalisation Policy, which replaces the National ICT Policy of 2013.
This new policy outlines the broader government vision for the digital transformation journey and the direction the country seeks to take in the next five years.
The ministry says the policy serves as a strategic roadmap for what it envisages to be a digital future, thereby ensuring that stakeholders harness technology to drive economic growth, improve public services and enhance citizen engagement.
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This is being done by focusing on the thematic areas of universal access to ICT and digital services; infrastructure development; digital governance; cyber-security resilience; ICT legal and regulatory environment; research, innovation and development; human capital development; digital government.
“As a department and by extension the Ministry of Information and Digitalisation, we recognise that for our country to achieve sustainable development, we must establish a strong foundational infrastructure to drive our digital transformation agenda.
“This includes expanding reliable connectivity to all regions, ensuring that every citizen, no matter where they are, has access to fast and affordable internet. We’re also committed to enhancing data storage through local data centres that provide secure, efficient and sovereign management of our information,” he said.
“A key pillar of our efforts is the rollout of a robust digital identity system, enabling secure and seamless access to public and private services, while ensuring that data protection and privacy are upheld. At the same time, we are focused on strengthening our cybersecurity resilience to safeguard our digital assets, services and citizens from emerging threats,” Katema pointed out.
“We are also building secure data exchange portals to facilitate smooth and efficient data sharing between government agencies, businesses, and citizens. Through these efforts, we aim to create a secure, connected and inclusive digital ecosystem that will drive innovation, enhance public services and foster long-term economic growth for everyone,” he indicated.
He said, so far, they had laid over 4,000 kilometres of optic fibre, connecting 28 districts to the internet.
Katema said, as for Likoma District, they had connected it through a microwave link.
The director added that under the Last Mile Rural Connectivity Project, they have erected 30 carrier-neutral towers, ensuring that even most remote areas are connected.
“We’ve built two data centres under the Digital Malawi Programme, with one already operational. We were one of the earliest countries to licence Starlink, providing satellite internet, and through Diplomatic Data Corridors we’re signing data agreements with neighbouring countries to ensure seamless cross-border communication. These efforts have brought down the cost of data significantly.
“To boost digital connectivity and enhance access, we’ve connected over 700 government institutions with internet access, including 32 markets, hospitals, schools, and libraries offering free Wi-Fi. Under the Connect a School Project, ICT labs are being established in schools across the country, ensuring that students have access to the digital tools they need for learning.
“We have connected 80 education institutions of research and higher learning under the Malawi Research Education Network, [thereby] enhancing access and affordability of the internet in those institutions,” he said.
In addition, he said Malawi had prioritised the development of progressive digital policies to ensure that its digital transformation aligned with national goals and supported socio-economic growth.
Such policies provide a clear framework and direction, establishing the necessary legal and regulatory environment to foster innovation while safeguarding citizens’ rights, he said.
The director expressed satisfaction that, over the years, the country had passed and proposed both hard and soft laws, strategies and plans aimed at creating a conducive environment for digital transformation.
According to the director, these efforts ensure that Malawi’s digital ecosystem is secure, inclusive and equipped to drive innovation across sectors.
“To enhance government efficiency and improve service delivery, Malawi has launched and continues to develop a range of digital platforms aimed at streamlining operations and increasing accessibility for citizens. These platforms, such as the Boma Lathu e-services portal, provide a centralised access point for government services, making it easier for citizens to interact with public institutions. modernise government operations and promote efficiency through digital transformation:
“We’ve also successfully piloted the migration of non-tax revenue collection agencies to e-payment solutions, starting with the National Registration Bureau. A key component of our agenda is building digital skills across Malawi for both decision makers and citizens. We’ve equipped 19,000 youths with digital literacy and supported 10 tech hubs with over $3 million in start-up grants. Through partnerships with organisations like the Tony Blair Institute, we’ve provided digital skills training to over 120 civil servants, ensuring that our workforce is ready to drive and sustain this transformation,” Katema pointed out.
Katema said as Malawi moves deeper into the digital age, protecting citizens and data was key to sustainable development.
He said the country was also building a safe, robust and resilient digital ecosystem.
“Through the development of cybersecurity policies and ongoing legislation like the Cyber Crimes Bill, we are ensuring that the confidentiality, integrity and availability of our digital assets are safeguarded.
“For the first time, Malawi has the Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) as provided for in the Electronic Transaction and Cyber Security Act of 2016. We have in operation the National CERT and the Government CERT but the idea is to cascade to sectoral CERTs in areas like defence and security, banking sector and other sectors,” he indicated.
Moving forward, he said, there was a need for individuals and institutions to “embrace digitalisation wholeheartedly”.
“The National Digitalisation Policy is our blueprint for success, but it requires the active participation of every sector to make it a reality. I urge all stakeholders to take the next steps in institutionalising this policy.
This call extends to the justice sector as well—your role is vital in ensuring that digital transformation reaches every citizen. Beyond improving access to justice, the sector must support key elements of digitalisation, including the interpretation of laws that govern digital spaces, providing legal support in areas like intellectual property rights, technology transfer, and ensuring the legal framework supports investment readiness in the digital economy,” he pointed out.
Concurring with Katema, Justice Minister Titus Mvalo has said the Judiciary needed to go digital as soon as yesterday.
Speaking at the Malawi E-Justice National Conference, which was held under the theme ‘Relying on Digital Transformation to Close the Justice Gap’, Mvalo acknowledged that while access to justice remained a fundamental right, countless citizens continued to encounter barriers that prevent them from seeking the legal remedies they deserve.
“These barriers can be physical, financial or systemic, often leaving the most vulnerable members of our society without the support they need. However, we stand at a decisive moment in history. The rapid advancement of digital technology presents us with unprecedented opportunities to transform our justice system.
“Digital transformation is not merely about adopting new technologies; it is about rethinking how we deliver justice, how we engage with our citizens, and how we ensure that everyone, regardless of their background, can access the legal system,” Mvalo said.
Mvalo expressed disappointment that, sometimes, termites damage court files, emphasising the urgent need for digital transformation in Malawi’s Judiciary to avoid this.
“It’s sad to hear that termites have destroyed court files. We must move away from this,” Mvalo said.
“The introduction of e-filing systems and digital case management tools can streamline our justice processes, making them more efficient and transparent. By reducing the bureaucratic hurdles that often slow down the delivery of justice, we can ensure that cases are resolved more quickly and fairly. Virtual courts are also crucial,” he said.
On his part, Chief Justice Rizine Mzikamanda said the Judicially was ready to go digital but stated that going 100 percent paperless would require a substantial amount of resources.
“We need to invest a lot for us to completely go digital. We also need to look into issues of network and computer education. A substantial investment is required for this to be achieved,” he said.
The idea, it seems, is to make digitalisation the centre of development efforts.
