Malawi Validates AI Readiness Report to Guide National AI Adoption
Speaking at the workshop, Secretary for Education, Science and Technology Dr. Ken Ndala said the assessment is an important step in preparing Malawi for the growing impact of AI on business, public services and national development.
The Government of Malawi has validated its Artificial Intelligence (AI) Readiness Assessment Report, marking a key milestone in the country’s efforts to build a safe, ethical and effective AI ecosystem.
The validation workshop for the Artificial Intelligence Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM), organised by the Ministry of Education with support from UNESCO ‘s Regional Office for Southern Africa (UNESCO-ROSA), brought together government officials, development partners, academia and other stakeholders in Lilongwe to review the report’s findings.
Speaking at the workshop, Secretary for Education, Science and Technology Dr. Ken Ndala said the assessment is an important step in preparing Malawi for the growing impact of AI on business, public services and national development. He noted that while artificial intelligence is already reshaping economies worldwide, Malawi must first evaluate its current capabilities before implementing AI-driven solutions.
Dr. Ndala said the readiness assessment will help the government identify strengths and gaps across critical areas including policy, digital infrastructure and institutional capacity. The findings will guide investment and resource allocation to priority areas that can accelerate the country’s responsible adoption of AI.
He added that although Malawi has made progress in some aspects of AI preparedness, further investment is needed to ensure the country can fully leverage the technology’s economic and social benefits.
UNESCO Head of Social and Human Sciences, Dr. Abdul Rahman Lamin, said the assessment is based on UNESCO’s Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, which has been adopted by all UNESCO member states, including Malawi.
According to Lamin, while AI has significant potential to improve service delivery and transform lives, it also raises important concerns around privacy, cybersecurity and human rights. The assessment therefore evaluates whether Malawi’s existing institutions, policies and regulatory frameworks are robust enough to support the responsible deployment of AI.
The report also examines the country’s investments in science, technology and innovation, the state of its digital infrastructure and internet connectivity, and the need to develop AI systems that reflect Malawi’s cultural and social context.
The validation of the AI Readiness Assessment Report represents an important step toward developing a national AI strategy that promotes innovation while ensuring ethical governance and inclusive digital transformation.
