World Bank backs Malawi’s digital transformation push

Government has reaffirmed its commitment to accelerating digital transformation through the Digital Malawi Acceleration Project (DMAP), with a focus on expanding connectivity, strengthening infrastructure and improving access to digital services.

This follows a courtesy call by a World Bank delegation on the Minister of Information and Communications Technology, Shadric Namalomba, in Lilongwe.

The delegation, led by Tim Kelly, is in the country on an implementation support mission to assess progress, identify challenges and enhance collaboration with government.

Speaking after the meeting, Namalomba described DMAP as a transformative initiative that is laying the foundation for a modern and digitally connected Malawi.

He said the project is key to government’s target of ensuring that at least 80 percent of the population has access to internet services by 2030.

He said the initiative will also see more than 2,000 schools connected to the internet, a development expected to improve access to digital learning and create opportunities for innovation among learners.

However, the minister noted that Malawi’s current digital infrastructure remains inadequate to meet growing demand.

He said the existing bandwidth of 12.5 gigabits per second falls short of national needs and called for an upgrade to at least 50 gigabits per second to support efficient service delivery across public institutions.

Namalomba also stressed the need to fast-track the development of a national data centre, saying it must be designed to accommodate emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and ensure secure and scalable digital services.

On connectivity expansion, he said infrastructure rollout must be complemented by practical solutions, including digital platforms and tools that enable meaningful use, particularly in the education sector through e-learning systems and smart classrooms.

He further highlighted the importance of integrating all Ministries, Departments and Agencies into a unified digital platform under the “Boma Lathu” initiative, which is expected to provide citizens with seamless access to multiple government services through a single portal.

The minister also called for strengthening institutional frameworks, including the Malawi Information Technology Authority, to improve coordination and oversight of digital systems.

In addition, he proposed the establishment of a Government Network Operations Centre to enhance system monitoring, improve service delivery and ensure timely response to technical challenges.

The World Bank team said the project is progressing steadily, with key milestones in procurement and stakeholder engagement already achieved.

The mission is expected to continue engaging various stakeholders as government intensifies efforts to accelerate implementation of the project and achieve its digital transformation goals.