A journey of innovation and inclusivity: Building the next phase of Malawi's digital future

Commenting on the initiative, Mphatso Augustine Sambo, Principal Secretary, National Registration Bureau (NRB) in Malawi stated, "This foundational ID, when linked with functional repositories, is the only way to truly serve the public's interests. As we work towards making systems interoperable and ensuring universal coverage of digital IDs, we need partners aligned with the interests of the Malawian people. By channelling resources and expertise effectively, we can ensure all stakeholders speak in one coordinated voice."

From power outages to data security: risks during the next phase

Although many foundational elements are in place, critical operations and maintenance stage brings several risks.

Technical risks: A key technical risk is managing the infrastructural challenges that underpin the whole digital framework. The lack of consistent electricity and Internet access in Malawi affects the operation of biometric kits and the ability to maintain a stable digital ID system. To address this, solar-powered biometric kits have been deployed, although issues with battery recharging remain, due to frequent power outages. A dedicated data centre is now under construction and near completion. Other technical challenges include system integration-seamlessly linking the digital ID system with various government databases and services. Ensuring uninterrupted communication between these systems to provide vital services such as healthcare, social protection and financial inclusion requires more interoperable application programme interfaces (APIs) that follow best practices and international standards. Progress has been made in this area, but more work is needed.

Operational risks: To sustain the momentum and effectively manage the digital ID system going forward, NRB also faces operational risks. These include ensuring timely ID delivery, seamlessly integrating the digital ID system with other public services and enhancing the capacity, support and maintenance of the overall system. Relatively high ID coverage was enabled by the strategic hiring and training of young graduates to support the initial rollout, as well as the deployment of internationally trained technical staff at the NRB. However, a significant hurdle is the ability to hire and retain the required technical expertise, while ensuring they are not transferred to less relevant departments, or dismissed. Ongoing technical training and capacity-building are needed to manage and operate the system effectively.

Normative risks: Although the project has benefited from significant donor support, the NRB must secure sustainable funding sources for long-term viability. Introducing small fees for verification services could help address this need, but care must be taken to avoid excluding low-income individuals from essential services. Additionally, the Government's commitment beyond electoral cycles is crucial to ensuring that the implementation of the DPI remains consistent and sustainable across different administrations.