A learner in a rural school in Malawi could soon have greater opportunities to explore the world of knowledge through the internet, as the Government plans to connect 2,000 public primary and secondary schools through the World Bank-funded Digital Malawi Acceleration Project (DMAP).

Mkwichi Secondary School was connected to the internet under a previous Digital Malawi Project

The initiative, which will be implemented through the Malawi Research and Education Network (MAREN), is expected to commence in 2028. It aims to give teachers and learners better access to online educational resources, research materials and new ways of teaching and learning.

Speaking during the 2026 UbuntuNet-Connect Conference in Lilongwe, DMAP Manager Chimwemwe Matemba said technical, environmental and social safeguard assessments were underway to prepare for the rollout.

Matemba: We will connect 2000 schools

“Connecting 2,000 schools is about giving every learner, regardless of where they come from, an opportunity to benefit from digital learning. We want technology to become part of everyday teaching and learning, opening up new opportunities for both teachers and students,” he said.

Matemba, however, emphasised that internet connectivity must go hand in hand with reliable electricity, digital devices, relevant learning materials, digital skills and proper maintenance to make the investment sustainable.

He also called for stronger collaboration among government institutions, schools, development partners and the private sector to ensure that the initiative delivers meaningful results.

MAREN Chief Executive Officer Solomon Dindi said reliable digital infrastructure was essential in helping students, lecturers and researchers access knowledge, share ideas and collaborate with institutions around the world.

Dindi: Reliable digital infrastructure is essential

He noted that research and education networks provide opportunities for learning, scientific discovery and innovation by connecting people and institutions.

Through the initiative, Malawi hopes to narrow the digital divide in education and give learners in rural and urban schools better opportunities to learn and compete in an increasingly digital world.

Ultimately, the goal is simple: to make the internet more than just a connection, but a tool that opens doors to knowledge, creativity, and a brighter future for Malawi's next generation.