Enhancing access to information through e-Governmetn (MW0020)

Overview

At-a-Glance

Action Plan: Not Attached

Action Plan Cycle: 2025

Status:

Institutions

Lead Institution: Ministry of Information and Digitalization (Dept. of e-Government) | Section30

Support Institution(s): Government: MACRA; PPPC Civil Society: CHRR; Digital Rights Coalition; Imagine Worldwide; Computers for Enhanced Education; Social Economic Enhancement and Enterprises; NGOGCN ;NGOCCR; YAS; Ulalo; FEDOMA; ICTAM Other Actors: MISPA; Mobile network providers; MISA Malawi; Media Council of Malawi (MCM)

Policy Areas

Digital Governance, Digital Inclusion, Digital Participation, Local, Participatory Approaches, Public Participation, Public Service Delivery

IRM Review

IRM Report: Pending IRM Review

Early Results: Pending IRM Review

Design i

Verifiable: Pending IRM Review

Relevant to OGP Values: Pending IRM Review

Ambition (see definition): Pending IRM Review

Implementation i

Completion: Pending IRM Review

Description

1. What problem does the commitment aim to address?
Access to public data through e-Government platforms in Malawi is hindered by technical, infrastructure and systemic limitations. Inconsistent power supply, weak content management by MDAs, limited smartphone coverage and outdated websites reduce the reliability of digital platforms. Many citizens lack access to or understanding of digital tools, which impedes their ability to interact with government services. Concerns over limited transparency, language restrictions and lack of public-facing portals contribute to low trust and use of e-Government platforms.

2. What are the causes of the problem?
(a) Technical barriers: unreliable service provision due to network and power outages.
(b) Unreliable central portal: many MDA websites poorly maintained, with outdated content.
(c) Low infrastructure penetration: rural areas lack coverage.
(d) Low smart device coverage: many still on basic phones.
(e) Concerns over free speech and access: restrictions, outdated info, siloed systems.

Commitment Description

1. What has been done so far to solve the problem?

Data Protection Act passed.

National Digitalization Policy (2023–2028) being implemented.

MACRA Strategic Plan to reduce device costs, expand infrastructure.

Efforts to digitize local government services and council-level capacity-building.

2. What solution are you proposing?
Government commits to:
(a) Make smartphones affordable by lowering taxes, promoting availability.
(b) Develop a single, updated government portal with mandatory publishing, especially laws and regulations.
(c) Enforce accountability for unmaintained portals.
(d) Establish service level agreements (SLA) with uptime standards.
(e) Conduct social media awareness campaigns.
(f) Conduct metrics analysis of outreach.
(g) Strengthen inclusive citizen engagement.

3. What results do we want to achieve?
(a) Reliable access to public data.
(b) Better performance of platforms.
(c) Increased uptake of e-Gov services.
(d) Transparent publication of laws, budgets, regulations.
(e) Improved citizen-government feedback.

Commitment Analysis

Relevance to MW2063: ICT sector identified as accelerator to a digital economy.
Transparency: Single, reliable portal for laws, policies, data.
Accountability: SLAs + maintenance enforcement.
Citizen Participation: Easier access to data enables monitoring and advocacy.

Commitment Planning

Milestones | Expected Outputs | Expected Completion Date