digital connectivity in Malawi remains limited, with only 20% of the population currently accessing the internet.
This low penetration, alongside a 35% broadband coverage rate, is officially recognised as a significant barrier to the country's economic goals, said Dr Shadric Namalomba, minister of information and digitisation .
Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday, Namalomba disclosed that the current 20% mark is a "long way" from the national target of 80% by 2030.
He went on to say the government is repositioning digitisation as a strategic enabler for economic growth and improved public service delivery.
The minister said connectivity has already expanded with mobile broadband penetration at 46%, while international wholesale bandwidth costs have been slashed from $12 to $4.20 per Mbps.
This has led to lower retail data prices across the market, the minister said.
To support this growth, the government is upgrading the National Data Centre to support Artificial Intelligence (AI) and high-performance computing.
This runs alongside reforms at the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority and the modernising of the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation to enhance regulation and digital communication systems, said Namalomba.
He pointed out that digital governance is also being prioritised. The government is enforcing official communication systems, transitioning institutions to digital operations, and training senior officials in cybersecurity to improve efficiency and data protection nationwide.
The strategy is not just about cables; it is about building a secure, digitally-enabled economy where every Malawian can participate, the minister told Parliament.
The Ministry is now fast-tracking Phase III of the National Fibre Backbone Project to ensure that the reduction in bandwidth costs reaches rural areas, where connectivity remains lowest.
Share
