National ICT Policy

Definitions of Data:

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Main Focus of Document:

Sets out Malawi's development agenda for the information age

Target Beneficiaries or Sectors:

N/A

Key Elements:

Some of the targeted initiatives to be implemented through this policy include improvement of ICT infrastructure and improvement of connectivity to international internet routes with increased internet bandwidth. The government also intends to establish a legal and regulatory framework to protect consumers of ICT products and services. These initiatives are intended to bring down the cost of communication especially for the internet-based applications and services.
Some key elements include: In this Policy, Government has defined priority areas that will have a huge impact in the realisation of an information society and knowledge-based economy. As Malawi implements the policy, the following benefits are expected to be realised:

• job creation and foreign currency savings through local production of ICT-based products and services;
• higher education status for the country due to the increased access to education and learning materials at all levels of education;
• lower doctor-patient ratios and improved access to medical care and information;
• diversified marketing opportunities and increased income for the country.

Through this policy, the government will establish a legal and regulatory framework to protect consumers of ICT products and services.

OVERAL POLICY OUTCOMES The following outcomes will be realized after implementing this policy:

1. Increased access to basic health and educational facilities; and increased skills in ICT;
2. Improved engagement of citizens, increased access to government services and improved government transparency;
3. Vibrant ICT industry that will facilitate the development of ICT products and services as well invigorating other industries;
4. Universal Access to ICT Services;
5. Diversified income opportunities for Malawi;
6. Provision of enhanced ICT services in a secure and trustworthy environment;
7. Professional and world-class ICT-based products and services;
8. Improved access to relevant information and public services.

STRATEGIC ICT LEADERSHIP Objective: To provide sustained high-level ICT leadership and championship oversight, inspiration and political goodwill.
Policy Statement 1: The policy will ensure that the government shall raise the level of awareness among those in leadership positions on the role, use, application and potential of ICT. Policy Statement 2: The policy will ensure that the government shall raise the profile of ICT in the society and promote confidence in utilizing ICT to citizens.

HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT Objective: To increase access to healthcare, education and training facilities through ICT utilisation. Policy Statement 1: The policy will ensure that the government shall integrate ICT into education systems at all levels in order to improve access to, and quality of, education; improve management of education systems. Policy Statement 2: The policy will ensure that the government shall integrate ICT into health delivery systems at all levels in order to improve access to the nation’s limited health facilities, improve management of health services and information dissemination, and enhance medical research. Policy Statement 3: Government shall develop a large pool of highly skilled ICT personnel to carry out ICT research and develop ICT innovations within the country.

E-GOVERNMENT SERVICES Policy Statement 1: Government shall deploy ICT to facilitate effective and efficient public service delivery and interaction between the public service and citizens of Malawi, companies, government institutions, cooperating partners and other stakeholders of the Government of Malawi; Policy Statement 2: Government shall deploy ICT in order to enhance oversight functions in the government.

ICT IN INDUSTRIES Policy Statement 1: The policy shall promote the use of ICT in the private sector’s service delivery and in research and development (R&D) of goods and services; Policy Statement 2: Government shall promote local and foreign investment for innovative production, R&D and diffusion of ICT by the private sector. Policy Statement 3: Government shall establish and promote an enabling environment for private sector investment in ICT; Policy Statement 4: The policy will ensure that the government introduces initiatives to promote the development of a domestic and export-oriented ICT industry; Policy Statement 5: Government shall promote the implementation of “Green” ICT to encourage the use of environmentally-friendly ICT products.

ICT INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT Objective: To develop ICT infrastructure in order to improve access and delivery of services as well as reduce communication costs.
Policy Statement 1: Government shall promote ICT infrastructure development in all areas of the country to provide basic means for electronic communication and delivery of e-services.
Policy Statement 2: Government shall facilitate the establishment of a reliable, adaptive and robust national ICT backbone infrastructure that feeds into equally high quality regional and international ICT infrastructure; Policy Statement 3: Government shall promote and facilitate domestic and foreign private sector investments in ICT infrastructure development; Policy Statement 4: Government shall encourage sharing and co-location of ICT infrastructure and ICT facilities by service providers.

ICT IN THE PRIORITY GROWTH SECTORS
Policy Statement 1: Government shall encourage the utilisation of ICT in agrobusiness industry; agricultural extension services; research in agricultural production and processing.
Policy Statement 2: Government shall encourage the utilisation of ICTs to ensure that Malawi’s presence as a unique and attractive tourist destination is recognized on the global map through the provision of up-to-date tourism information; Policy Statement 3: Government shall ensure that ICTs are used to strengthen sustainable natural resource and environmental management practices; provide access to geographical information on natural resources and wildlife habitats and exact location and quantities of minerals;
Policy Statement 4: Government shall encourage the use of ICT to explore marketing opportunities for Malawi’s products, including exportable natural resources products; Policy Statement 5: Government shall promote the utilisation of ICT in environmental protection.

RESPONSIVE ICT LEGAL, REGULATORY AND INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK Policy Statement 1: The policy will ensure that the government develops and harmonises legal instruments to ensure that the ICT industry is regulated to safeguard human rights, facilitate fair competition within the industry and promote accountability to the public.
Policy Statement 2: The policy will ensure that the government develops laws and an institutional framework to govern the use of electronic evidence, and to coordinate development and utilisation of ICTs in Malawi.