By: Nana
Appiah Acquaye
Malawi has reaffirmed its
commitment to digital transformation and artificial intelligence (AI) as key
drivers of economic growth and improved public service delivery.
Speaking at the IDEA Annual
Digital Forum in Lusaka, Zambia, Principal Secretary for the Department of
eGovernment, Prosper Mopiwa, highlighted the country’s progress under the
Digital Malawi Acceleration Project (DMAP) and announced that Malawi’s National
AI Strategy has been drafted and is currently undergoing stakeholder
consultations.
Mopiwa outlined key
achievements under DMAP, including the Bomalathu eService Portal, the new
National Data Centre, the deployment of biometric registration kits for the
National Registration Bureau and the expansion of digital connectivity.
The developments form part
of Malawi’s broader efforts to strengthen its digital infrastructure and expand
access to digital public services.
Mopiwa said the National AI
Strategy is intended to help position Malawi for an inclusive and digitally
empowered future, with artificial intelligence expected to play a growing role
in the country’s development agenda.
Opening the forum, COMESA
Secretary General Chileshe Mpundu Kapwepwe stressed the importance of regional
cooperation and strong public-private partnerships in accelerating digital
transformation across Eastern and Southern Africa.
She said collaboration
between governments, businesses and regional institutions would be critical to
building digital ecosystems capable of supporting economic growth and inclusive
development.
The IDEA Annual Digital
Forum brought together delegates from Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo,
Malawi, Angola, South Sudan, Kenya, Seychelles, Botswana, Burundi, Ethiopia,
Eswatini, Tanzania and Madagascar.
