MALAWI DIGITAL PROJECT – PUBLIC FREE WI-FI INITIATIVE: A RELIEF TO THE YOUTHS IN ACCESSING INTERNET

By Aubrey Alphonse Ligomeka

The Malawi government through the Public Private Partnership Commission (PPPC) with funding from the World Bank a few years ago launched a project aimed at increasing access to connecting all public institutions nationwide aimed at addressing connectivity gaps for government, higher education, and the private sector in the provision of  free Wi-Fi services.

Youths accessing free internet at the Mzuzu National Library

Since its implementation, the project has proved to be very reliable among the youths as they are able to explore various opportunities on the internet. According to Francis Nyasulu who enjoys accessing the services at the National Library in Mzuzu City in the Northern Region of Malawi, testifies by saying that with this initiative he is able to access various opportunities on the internet unlike in the past because of the high cost and unreliable internet which posed many challenges.

He also anticipates that the government will make great improvements in helping to facilitate high speed internet connection not only in the urban areas but also in the rural areas so that the youths in those areas too should be able to access the services in order for them to have the same opportunities as those youths in the cities across Malawi.

The National Library in Mzuzu City where Youths Access the Internet

This free Wi-Fi for all, is accessed in public places such as markets, hospitals, airports and national libraries across Malawi.

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