FOREWORD Information Communications Technology (ICT) has become a critical driver for socio-economic development, with the deployment and adoption of ICTs across the nation resulting in noteworthy improvements in all aspects of life and institutional operations in the nation. Improvements in telecommunications infrastructure in Malawi has contributed to the ever increasing over-all adoption of ICTs thereby contributing to an emerging digitally enabled society. Furthermore, the Malawi Government recognizes the significance of ICT to achieving inclusive and sustainable growth and development. It is against this background that the Malawi Growth and Development Strategy (MGDS) identifies ICT as one of its key pillars among the priority sectors for economic growth. In addition, Government has put in place further instruments such as National ICT Policy (2013), National ICT Masterplan (2014), The Electronic and Cybersecurity Act (2016) to enable inclusive growth of the sector. The recent deployment of a nationwide fiber-optic network infrastructure further underscores the commitment that the Government has to ensure interconnectivity. Such developments provide a plethora of opportunities to the once “unserved peripheral communities” to join the bandwagon of the digital world and effectively take part in the global ICT revolution. The public and private sectors have embraced technology at the center of their business leveraging improved availability of higher capacities of bandwidth and better ICT innovations. Innovations in ICT contribute to efficient service provisioning, enable e-commerce and enhanced collaboration to curb geographical barriers in knowledge transfer and sharing of ideas. However, a number of risks and threats exist or have emerged in the cyber space. The threats range from mere real time hacking of systems, phishing, mobile money fraud, organised online human trafficking, child pornography, bullying among other threats perpetrated over the internet. These restrict the smooth operation and resilience of ICT systems, and consequently the socioeconomic development of the nation. The Government is committed to keep the nation safe from cyber threats. I therefore call upon all stakeholders in the sector to join hands in the implementation of this Strategy. Hon. Gospel Kazako MINISTER OF INFORMATION ii