By: Nana
Appiah Acquaye
The Malawi Communications
Regulatory Authority (MACRA), acting as the designated Data Protection
Authority, has held stakeholder consultations on draft data protection
regulations aimed at establishing a fair and effective framework for
implementing data protection requirements in the country.
The consultation meeting,
held at Mount Soche in Blantyre, provided an opportunity for stakeholders to
review and provide input on proposed registration fees under the draft
regulations.
The engagement brought
together representatives from the private sector and other key institutions to
discuss the proposed fee structure and contribute to the development of a
regulatory approach that balances data privacy obligations with business growth
and innovation.
Speaking during the
consultation, Principal Secretary at the Ministry of Information and
Communication Technology, Harold Msusa, said the government remains committed
to supporting a data protection regime that is transparent, inclusive and
responsive to the needs of both citizens and businesses.
Msusa explained that the
proposed turnover-based fee structure is designed to ensure that larger
organisations make a proportionate contribution while avoiding unnecessary
barriers for smaller businesses and emerging players.
“The turnover-based fee
structure will ensure that larger organisations contribute more without
creating barriers for smaller players,” he said.
MACRA’s Head of Data
Protection, Daniel Chiwoni, said the Authority has developed a framework to
guide the implementation of the new requirements while maintaining a balance
between protecting personal data, encouraging innovation and supporting
economic growth.
The stakeholder consultation
forms part of Malawi’s broader efforts to strengthen its data governance
framework and promote responsible handling of personal information as digital
services continue to expand.
