1.3. PROBLEM DEFINITION In terms of the ICT Sector, Malawi is faced with the following challenges: i. Inadequate ICT infrastructure especially in the rural areas. As of 2012, there was a total of only 2,112 kilometres of fiber optic cable in the country, concentrated in urban areas. The situation described above makes it a challenge for Malawi to provide electronic services to the general public, especially to those that reside in rural areas. ii. Underdeveloped research and development capacity in ICT. No patented ICT-based innovation has been recorded in the country. The country imports almost all of its ICT products and services. iii. Inadequate specialized ICT professionals and institutional capacity. There are very few certified professionals in specialist ICT areas. Malawi continues to depend on international experts as well as institutions for capacity development and for implementing and managing complex ICT initiatives. iv. High investment cost for ICT infrastructure. ICT infrastructure is heavily dependent on imported material. Linked to the above challenge, experts for constructing the infrastructure have to be imported. Return on investment is low, especially in the rural areas due to the low telephone and computer use in those areas, and investors shun from investing in the rural areas. This is evidenced through the inadequate ICT infrastructure in Malawian rural areas. v. Lack of local and relevant Internet content and e-services that may be useful to the rural communities makes it difficult to implement ICT programmes. vi. Lack of legal instruments for protection of individuals and societies from abuse arising from the use of ICT and participation in information society. Users do not trust online and electronic services in the absence of the law. vii. Lack of awareness of ICT and e-services and their potential. Awareness programmes on ICT and ICT-based services have not been implemented on a large scale in Malawi due to a lack of coordination. viii. Low levels of online public services and low levels of engaging the citizens using ICTs. There has never been a deliberate policy to facilitate the provision of electronic platforms for citizen engagement in the development 4