Companies and organizations that handle customers’ personal information will be required to pay annual registration fees under the new data protection rules.
The Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) says mandatory annual registration fees for data controllers and data processors will take effect in September as part of implementing the Data Protection Act, 2024.
Under the proposed fee structure, small and medium enterprises will pay a minimum annual registration fee of K50,000, while large organisations will pay up to K7 million.
Speaking during a stakeholders’ consultation workshop in Blantyre on Monday, MACRA Head of Data Protection Daniel Chiwoni said the fees are intended to strengthen enforcement of the law and build confidence in Malawi’s digital economy.
“The proposed registration fees will enable MACRA to effectively monitor compliance and enforce the Data Protection Act, thereby promoting a trusted digital economy,” said Chiwoni.
Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology Harold Mac Brayer Msusa said the framework is necessary to safeguard citizens’ personal information while creating confidence for investors.
“It is important that any fees adopted are fair to stakeholders so that we build a system that strengthens Malawi’s digital economy,” said Msusa.
He said the consultations will help ensure the country’s data protection framework reflects stakeholders’ views while protecting personal information with significant social and economic implications.
Meanwhile, Game Haven Lodge Managing Director Greg Gange Harris described the proposed K4 million annual fee for his company as too high, saying it could place an unnecessary burden on businesses.
However, Harris welcomed the ongoing consultations and expressed hope that MACRA will review the proposed charges before they are implemented.
“The Data Protection Act is important for businesses because it strengthens the protection of customer information. I am pleased that stakeholders have been allowed to provide input before the fees are implemented,” he said.
