Government committed to connecting Malawi schools, says Msaka — but 2026/27 budget has no dedicated line for school connectivity
Minister of Education Bright Msaka says the Malawi government is committed to expanding digital access in both rural and urban schools across the country.
Msaka made the remarks in Lilongwe during the dissemination of the School Connectivity Landscape Analysis report by UNICEF and Giga, which found that 85 percent of Malawi’s 9,000 schools have limited or no internet access.
Presenting the findings, Penelope Campbell said about 900 schools in Malawi have no connectivity at all, citing lack of electricity and digital devices as major barriers.
Msaka said government has the resources to electrify and connect rural schools in Malawi, noting that digital skills are key in a technology driven global economy.
Key findings — Malawi school connectivity report
- 85 percent of Malawi’s 9,000 schools have limited or no internet access
- 900 Malawi schools have no connectivity at all
- Main barriers: lack of electricity and digital devices
- World Bank supporting project to connect over 200 Malawi schools
Minister of Information and Communication Technology Shadric Namalomba described the report as an opportunity to accelerate digital penetration in Malawi, adding that the World Bank is already supporting a project to connect over 200 schools.
Namalomba also called on the private sector to support government efforts through the provision of devices and renewable energy solutions for Malawi schools.
However, the government’s own 2026/27 National Budget Policy Statement, delivered by Finance Minister Joseph Mwanamvekha in February 2026, contains no dedicated budget line for school internet connectivity or digital infrastructure in primary and secondary schools. The education sector has been allocated K1.28 trillion, representing 11.7 percent of the total national budget, with spending focused on free education fees, classroom construction, teaching materials and university operations.
The closest digital allocation in the budget is K1.1 billion set aside for assembling laptops and tablets at the Malawi University of Science and Technology, which targets higher education and not primary or secondary schools. The Transport and ICT sector has been allocated K664.4 billion but the budget statement directs those resources primarily at roads, rail and aviation infrastructure.
With 900 schools having no internet connection at all and the UNICEF report warning of growing digital inequality between Malawi and the rest of the world, the gap between the government’s conference pledges and its budget commitments raises questions about when — and how — connectivity for Malawi schools will actually be funded.
2026/27 budget — education and digital allocations
- Total education allocation: K1.28 trillion (11.7% of total budget)
- Free primary and secondary education fees: K47.6 billion
- Teaching and learning materials: K11 billion
- Laptop and tablet assembly (university level): K1.1 billion
- Dedicated school internet connectivity budget: none
