Malawi plans to build a connected, secure, and inclusive digital nation, enabling every citizen, institution, and enterprise to participate meaningfully in the digital economy within three years.
This was announced by Dr Shadric Namalomba, minister of information and communications technology (ICT), when he officially opened the 2026 International ICT Expo at the Bingu International Convention Centre in Lilongwe on Thursday.
He stressed that digital transformation is no longer optional but a strategic necessity for national development.
Namalomba said the initiative aims to increase connected schools from 2 000 to 4 000, marking significant progress towards the national goal of connecting all 9 000 schools across Malawi.
He added that the government targets an 80 percent national connectivity rate to boost economic growth, improve public service delivery, and enhance Malawi’s competitiveness in the global digital economy.
“Our target is to have every primary school, every secondary school, each village and every public place connected,” said Dr Shadric Namalomba.
He said the focus over the next three years will be on expanding broadband access, accelerating digital public services, strengthening cybersecurity and data governance, and equipping young people with the skills needed to innovate, create jobs, and compete globally.
Clarence Gama, president of the ICT Association of Malawi, commended the government’s commitment to promoting ICT innovation and digital solutions in his keynote address.
He called for sustainability in this commitment until connectivity reaches all parts of Malawi.
Malawi is accelerating its digital transformation to drive economic growth, expand e-government services, and achieve 80 percent internet access by 2030.
Key pillars of this effort include the World Bank-financed Digital Malawi Acceleration Project, construction of a national data centre in Lilongwe, and expanded rural connectivity through fibre and satellite technologies in the landlocked country.
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