The National Statistical Office (NSO) says it will conduct the fourth National Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Survey across the country from August to October this year.
According to NSO spokesperson Sam Chipokosa, the survey, which will be implemented in partnership with the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA), is in line with the Malawi 2063 blueprint and is expected to produce updated official statistics on access to and use of ICT services in the country.
Chipokosa said the fourth National ICT Survey will focus on collecting household- and individual-level data on access to ICT, ownership, and use of ICT services, among other areas, across the country.
“The current survey will cover mobile phone and computer ownership, internet access and use, cybersecurity awareness, child online protection, digital financial services, and other ICT indicators,” Chipokosa said.
He further said the exercise is expected to provide reliable information for assessing Malawi’s progress in digital transformation. He said the findings will support the government and its partners in monitoring national development, including ICT policies and the Malawi 2026 agenda.
“The results will help in various development frameworks and ensure that policies are properly formulated. Let me also say that the government and other partners will be able to use the findings for monitoring and evaluation of development planning,” he said.
Meanwhile, social commentator George Chaima has described the survey as a critical tool for enhancing the country’s development and improving communication.
Chaima said the survey would help identify how many people are able to use modern communication technologies and expressed hope that it would provide accurate statistics to help the country determine how to improve digital services and increase their outreach.
The NSO, in collaboration with MACRA, conducted the third National ICT Survey on access to and use of information technologies by households and individuals in 2023.
