Malawi is among countries that will benefit from a $2.4 billion (about K4.1 trillion) Inclusive Digitalisation in Eastern and Southern Africa Programme whose funds will help boost the second phase of the Digital Malawi Acceleration Project.
The programme, financed through the International Development Association and International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, targets 15 countries that have less than 50 percent high-speed internet access and will be implemented in phases over eight years.
The World Bank announced in a statement last week that Malawi, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Angola will participate in the first phase while other countries will join in subsequent phases.
“Additional countries and regional bodies are expected to join in the subsequent phases based on their eligibility and readiness. The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa [Comesa] will lead the regional coordination and facilitate the knowledge exchange of experiences and lessons across participating countries,” he said.
World Bank vice-president for the Eastern and Southern Africa’s Victoria Kwakwa said in the statement that the programme is expected to unleash opportunities for hundreds of millions of Africans to actively participate in and contribute to the advancement of the region’s digital economies.
She said: “This effort underscores the critical importance of public and private sector partnerships in driving sustainable economic growth”.
Director of e-Government in the Ministry of Information and Digitilisation Paul Katema on Friday said the funding is crucial in accelerating Malawi’s digital transformation.
“It provides necessary resources to enhance internet access, improve cybersecurity and support digital skills development. This funding will enable us to expand our digital infrastructure, ensuring that more Malawians, especially those in the rural and underserved areas can benefit from reliable and affordable internet services,” he said.
He said the Digital Malawi Acceleration Project through such financial supports will bring about significant improvements in internet access and cybersecurity, to benefit Malawians.
According to Katema, the initiative is anticipated to create new opportunities for all Malawians and drive the country’s digital transformation agenda.
Among some of the benefits registered in the first phase of the Digital Malawi Acceleration
Project, which served as a foundation for digitalisation in the country, include connection of 500 public institutions with internet and internal network access; hence, improving service delivery and efficiency.
Others include installation of free Wi-Fi zones with over 39 sites currently operational, development of the Data Protection Bill to safeguard data privacy and security, establishment of data exchange platform and government digital services portal which is being finalised as well as construction of a primary data centre in Lilongwe which is also being finalised
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