ICTworks

In an era where Internet connectivity is pivotal for socio-economic development, Malawi’s government has embarked on a transformative journey through the Public Free Wi-Fi Initiative within the Digital Malawi Project.

The Public Free Wi-Fi Initiative initiative aims to bridge the digital divide, enhance public service delivery, and foster economic growth by leveraging information and communication technologies (ICTs).

What is the Digital Malawi Project?

The Digital Malawi Project is a comprehensive program initiated by the Malawian government, in partnership with the World Bank, to establish a digitally-enabled economy, society, and government.

Its primary objectives include improving communication between government offices, enhancing ICT governance, increasing access to government information and services, and reducing infrastructure costs by providing reliable and adaptive ICT infrastructure and systems.

The project is structured into three core components:

• Digital Ecosystem: This component focuses on creating an enabling environment for digital development by implementing legal and regulatory reforms, building regulatory capacity, and fostering partnerships for ICT skills development, job creation, and innovation.
• Digital Connectivity: Aimed at encouraging infrastructure development, this component seeks to connect public institutions, provide innovative broadband access solutions, particularly in rural areas, and enhance connectivity for higher education institutions.
• Digital Platforms and Services: This aspect focuses on digital transformation to deliver advanced, competitive economy and modern, effective public services. It includes strengthening institutional capacity to deliver digital services, developing shared digital public service delivery platforms, and creating digital applications and services.

What is the Malawi Public Free Wi-Fi Initiative?

As part of the Digital Malawi Project, the Public Free Wi-Fi Initiative was launched to provide free internet connectivity in selected public places across the country. The initiative aims to facilitate easy communication among Malawians, enhance access to digital services, and boost businesses by providing free Wi-Fi connectivity in public places such as schools, markets, hospitals, libraries, and airports.

The initiative is being implemented by the Government of Malawi through the Public Private Partnership Commission (PPPC). In October 2021, the Minister of Information, Hon. Gospel Kazako, officially launched the initiative at Blantyre Secondary School, highlighting the government’s commitment to embracing new technology and delivering e-services to the Malawian people.

Initially, the free WiFi offered a daily data allocation of 375 MB per user. However, responding to public demand, the government has since increased this to 1 GB per day, with connection speeds boosted from 512 Kbps to 768 Kbps. This significant upgrade demonstrates the government’s commitment to providing meaningful internet access that can support a wide range of online activities.

Where Can Malawians Access Free Wi-Fi?

The Public Free Wi-Fi Initiative has established free Wi-Fi hotspots in various public locations across Malawi. The initial project sites were:

• Schools: Blantyre Secondary School, Mzuzu Government Secondary School, Nkhamenya Girls Secondary School, Bwaila Secondary School, Stella Maris Secondary School.
• Markets: Blantyre Market, Lilongwe Market.
• Hospitals: Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital.
• Libraries: Mzuzu National Library.
• Airports: Kamuzu International Airport, Chileka International Airport.

The Malawian government is extending free Wi-Fi access to approximately 500 public facilities nationwide starting in early 2024. These facilities encompass a variety of public institutions, including:

• Schools: More secondary schools and higher education institutions.
• Hospitals: Major referral hospitals and district health centers.
• Markets: Central markets in urban and semi-urban areas.
• Libraries: National and regional public libraries.
• Courts: Judicial courts across various districts.
• Police Stations: Law enforcement offices in multiple regions.
• Prisons: Correctional facilities throughout the country.

These locations were strategically chosen to maximize public benefit, providing students, healthcare professionals, traders, and travelers with free internet access to support their educational, professional, and personal needs.

Why is Free Wi-Fi Internet Access Important to Malawi?

According to Malawi’s 2023 digital report, about 75% of Malawians did not use the Internet at the beginning of 2023. However, the government hopes to drastically reduce that percentage now and empower everyone in the country by providing free Wi-Fi internet access.

• Educational Advancement: Free internet access in schools and libraries enables students and educators to access a vast array of educational resources, facilitating improved learning outcomes and bridging the educational divide.
• Healthcare Improvement: In hospitals, free Wi-Fi allows healthcare professionals to consult with specialists, access medical journals, and stay updated with the latest medical information, thereby enhancing patient care.
• Economic Empowerment: Traders and entrepreneurs in markets can leverage free internet access to engage in e-commerce, access market information, and connect with customers, thereby boosting their businesses.
• Digital Inclusion: Free Wi-Fi initiatives help bridge the digital divide by providing internet access to individuals who may not afford data plans, ensuring equitable access to information and services.
• Government Service Delivery: Enhanced internet connectivity facilitates the delivery of e-government services, making public services more accessible, efficient, and transparent.

What do Donors Think About Free WiFi Initiative?

International donors, particularly the World Bank, have been instrumental in supporting the Digital Malawi Project. Other institutions, like the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change have reviewed the project.

World Bank Financial Support

The World Bank approved a $72.4 million credit to support the project, leveraging significant private sector infrastructure investment and supporting regulatory and policy measures aimed at increasing competitiveness, quality and affordability of internet services in Malawi. Private investment and digital technology will streamline government operations – for example, move government procurement online to help increase transparency and efficiency.

The World Bank’s involvement underscores the international community’s recognition of the project’s significance in driving economic growth, innovation, and improved access to services. The partnership reflects a shared commitment to leveraging digital technologies for sustainable development in Malawi.

Tony Blair Institute Involvement

The Tony Blair Institute for Global Change has praised the initiative. They did an assessment and found that the WiFi speeds and daily use quotas initially provided by the government were insufficient. Then they persuaded the government to make considerable investments.

Our efforts paid off, with the WiFi hotspots increasing their daily free internet packs by 625MB. Free WiFi is now available for people to use in 32 public places — providing an average of 2,900 users daily with an opportunity to easily communicate with family and friends when they are in hospital, and access to online educational resources for students and teachers.

This adaptation demonstrates the government’s responsiveness to public needs for adequate internet access and equitable opportunities for all Malawian citizens.

What Do Malawians Think About Free WiFi Initiative?

An academic study analyzed stakeholder’s opinions from government department websites, social media platforms and online news websites. It found that the public Wi-Fi initiative in Malawi has received mixed reactions, with both enthusiastic support and pointed criticism.

Support for Malawi Free WiFI Initiative

Many view free public Wi-Fi as a progressive step for Malawi, allowing the country to align with more digitally advanced nations.

Proponents highlight its potential to foster collaboration between the government, development agencies, and the private sector while expanding internet access for educational use and supporting critical communication needs—particularly highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic, when internet access became essential for health and public safety information.

This positive outlook sees public Wi-Fi as a catalyst for digital inclusion, enabling more Malawians to participate in the digital economy.

Criticism of Malawi Free WiFI Initiative

Critics argue that free public Wi-Fi may not be the best use of resources given the country’s more pressing needs, such as shortages in public healthcare supplies and limited access to essential agricultural inputs.

Further, with most Wi-Fi locations concentrated in urban areas, many rural communities remain disconnected, widening the urban-rural divide. Some also find the selected locations impractical—markets, for example, can be too crowded for users to benefit from Wi-Fi access. These factors raise concerns about whether the initiative truly targets those who need it most.

Additional worries include security risks associated with public Wi-Fi. Many worry that the increased access to public Wi-Fi will make users more vulnerable to cyber threats, and there is a sense that public Wi-Fi might clash with social norms, especially in educational settings where smartphone use is often restricted.

The program’s long-term viability was also a concern. The absence of a sustainable funding model for ongoing operational costs means the project could face closure after its initial three-year funding period. Some suggest that investing in lower-cost data options might be more effective, expanding access across both urban and rural areas without relying on potentially short-lived initiatives.

What are Future Plans for Malawi Free WiFi?

Building on the successes of the initial phase, the Malawian government plans to expand the Digital Malawi Project to further enhance digital connectivity and service delivery. Future plans include:

• Expansion of Free Wi-Fi Coverage: Increasing the number of public Wi-Fi hotspots to cover more locations, including additional schools, healthcare facilities, and public spaces, to ensure broader access to free internet services.
• Enhancement of Digital Infrastructure: Continuing to develop and upgrade digital infrastructure, such as the construction of a national data center, to support the delivery of digital public services and improve government efficiency.
• Capacity Building and Digital Skills Development: Implementing programs to build digital skills among citizens, particularly targeting youth and women, to enable them to participate effectively in the digital economy.

As Malawi continues to implement and expand its Digital Malawi Project and Public Free WiFi initiative, the country is positioning itself at the forefront of digital inclusion efforts in Africa. By providing free internet access in public spaces, Malawi is not just connecting its citizens to the digital world; it’s opening doors to education, economic opportunities, and improved public services.

While challenges remain, particularly in reaching the most remote areas and ensuring consistent service quality, the progress made so far is commendable. As more Malawians come online, the potential for innovation, economic growth, and social development grows exponentially.

For humanitarian aid workers and development professionals, Malawi’s digital transformation offers valuable lessons in leveraging technology for social good. It demonstrates how targeted investments in digital infrastructure and free access can accelerate a country’s development trajectory, creating a more connected, informed, and empowered citizenry.