Photo: Rockwurm derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 17 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Malawi: Digital & Technology
How ready is a country to use, make and trade technology?
Malawi is placed 146th of 198 countries on digital & technology in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: GovTech Maturity Index 0.328 (2025); Government AI Readiness Index 24.22 (2025).
Share
Digital & Technology
146th
of 198 countries placed
Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics
- 0.328GovTech Maturity Index, 2025GTMI score (0–1)
- 24.22Government AI Readiness Index, 2025AI readiness score (0–100)
- -1.788Government Cyber Security Capacity, 2025Original latent estimate (≈ −3.6 to +3.7); higher = more capacity
- 36.66Digitally-Deliverable Services Exports, 2024Digitally-deliverable services exports (% of services exports)
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Malawi on digital & technology — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
0.328
GTMI score (0–1)
Higher is better
Malawi: 0.328. Across the 196 countries in this edition, values run from 0.01 (North Korea) to 0.997 (South Korea); the world median is 0.63.
- World median
- 0.63
- Best in Eastern Africa
- 0.944 Mauritius
- Land neighbours
- Mozambique 0.393 · Tanzania 0.88 · Zambia 0.602
24.22
AI readiness score (0–100)
Higher is better
Ranked 149th of 195 by Oxford Insights
Malawi: 24.22. Across the 195 countries in this edition, values run from 12.12 (Guinea-Bissau) to 88.36 (United States); the world median is 40.19.
- World median
- 40.19
- Best in Eastern Africa
- 52.76 Mauritius
- Land neighbours
- Mozambique 22.31 · Tanzania 41.45 · Zambia 43.9
Key 3 of 4
Government Cyber Security Capacity
V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY-SA 4.0
-1.788
Original latent estimate (≈ −3.6 to +3.7); higher = more capacity
Higher is better
Malawi: -1.788. Across the 176 countries in this edition, values run from -2.66 (Liberia) to 3.715 (Estonia); the world median is 0.196.
- World median
- 0.196
- Best in Eastern Africa
- 2.223 Ethiopia
- Land neighbours
- Mozambique -0.566 · Tanzania 0.35 · Zambia 0.391
Key 4 of 4
Digitally-Deliverable Services Exports
UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
2024 edition · data for 2024 · CC BY 3.0 IGO
36.66
Digitally-deliverable services exports (% of services exports)
Higher is better
Malawi: 36.66. Across the 170 countries in this edition, values run from 0.377 (Gambia) to 87.15 (Ireland); the world median is 25.42.
- World median
- 25.42
- Best in Eastern Africa
- 66.72 Mauritius
- Land neighbours
- Mozambique 2.518 · Zambia 20.02
02Over time
Which way Malawi is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
Government AI Readiness Index
AI readiness score (0–100) · higher is better
MalawiWorld median
Malawi fell from 26.72 in 2020 to 24.22 in 2025; the world median went from 39.58 to 40.19.
Every year’s figures
Year Malawi World median 2025 24.2 40.2 2024 29.3 43.3 2023 24.9 41.4 2022 24.5 40.3 2021 24.8 44.1 2020 26.7 39.6 Government Cyber Security Capacity
Original latent estimate (≈ −3.6 to +3.7); higher = more capacity · higher is better
MalawiWorld median
Malawi rose from -2.126 in 2000 to -1.788 in 2025; the world median went from -0.514 to 0.196.
Every year’s figures
Year Malawi World median 2025 -1.79 0.20 2024 -0.91 0.11 2023 -0.91 0.14 2022 -0.91 0.16 2021 -0.98 0.12 2020 -1.39 0.12 2019 -1.36 0.10 2018 -1.54 -0.05 2017 -1.62 -0.08 2016 -1.62 -0.10 2015 -1.62 -0.17 2014 -1.68 -0.21 2013 -1.80 -0.21 2012 -1.80 -0.25 2011 -1.80 -0.32 2010 -1.80 -0.31 2009 -2.13 -0.50 2008 -2.13 -0.51 2007 -2.13 -0.51 2006 -2.13 -0.55 2005 -2.13 -0.55 2004 -2.13 -0.55 2003 -2.13 -0.55 2002 -2.13 -0.51 2001 -2.13 -0.51 2000 -2.13 -0.51 Digitally-Deliverable Services Exports
Digitally-deliverable services exports (% of services exports) · higher is better
MalawiWorld median
Malawi rose from 12.43 in 2010 to 36.66 in 2024; the world median went from 19.88 to 25.42.
Every year’s figures
Year Malawi World median 2024 36.665 25.42 2023 36.659 26.03 2022 36.658 26.04 2021 36.686 29.80 2020 37.162 29.47 2019 14.584 18.36 2018 54.783 20.09 2017 60.002 18.32 2016 54.678 18.15 2015 44.441 19.57 2014 45.342 21.00 2013 52.321 20.50 2012 45.867 19.56 2011 37.343 19.21 2010 12.428 19.88
03In context
Malawi beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 198 countries on digital & technology, never a place within the region.
Malawi and the countries it borders
Standing among all 198; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | GovTech Maturity IndexGTMI score (0–1) | Government AI Readiness IndexAI readiness score (0–100) | Government Cyber Security CapacityOriginal latent estimate (≈ −3.6 to +3.7); higher = more capacity | Digitally-Deliverable Services ExportsDigitally-deliverable services exports (% of services exports) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Tanzania | 63rd | 0.88 | 41.45 | 0.35 | — |
 Zambia | 94th | 0.602 | 43.9 | 0.391 | 20.02 |
| Malawi | 146th | 0.328 | 24.22 | -1.788 | 36.66 |
 Mozambique | 165th | 0.393 | 22.31 | -0.566 | 2.518 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Eastern Africa
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 198.
Placed either side on digital & technology
The countries immediately above and below Malawi in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Malawi is ahead of the world, and behind
17 more statistics filed under digital & technology, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median3
Statistics on which Malawi does better than the middle country measured.
Government Internet ShutdownsV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 1.0231.8041.023▲ Improved since 2015
Malawi: 1.804 · world median 1.023 · Original latent estimate (≈ −4 to +2); higher = fewer shutdowns. V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -3.547 to 2.081; higher is better.
Position 33rd of 176 · derived.
Government Social Media CensorshipV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.5051.0160.505▲ Improved since 2015
Malawi: 1.016 · world median 0.505 · Original latent estimate (≈ −4.5 to +2.4); higher = less censorship. V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -3.721 to 2.295; higher is better.
Position 66th of 176 · derived.
Government Dissemination of False Information (Domestic)V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median -0.1140.265-0.114▼ Worsened since 2015
Malawi: 0.265 · world median -0.114 · Original latent estimate (≈ −3.6 to +3.2); higher = less disinformation. V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -3.392 to 2.93; higher is better.
Position 72nd of 176 · derived.
Behind the world median11
Statistics on which Malawi does worse than the middle country measured.
Digital Services Trade Restrictiveness IndexOECD · 2025 · world median 0.2060.2070.206▲ Improved since 2015
Malawi: 0.207 · world median 0.206 · Digital STRI (0 = open, 1 = closed). OECD, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.021 to 0.649; lower is better.
Position 64th of 125 · derived, 1st = worst.
Firms Experiencing Internet DisruptionsWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 32.3533.8232.35No earlier reading
Malawi: 33.82 · world median 32.35 · Firms that experienced internet outages or slow-downs (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0.735 to 82.39; lower is better.
Position 78th of 163 · derived, 1st = worst.
Made or Received a Digital PaymentWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 51.6548.8651.65▲ Improved since 2014
Malawi: 48.86 · world median 51.65 · Adults who made or received a digital payment in the past year (% of population aged 15+). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 12.26 to 94.91; higher is better.
Position 58th of 98 · derived.
AI User Share of the Working-Age PopulationMicrosoft AI Economy Institute · 2026 · world median 15.4511.415.45No real change since 2025
Malawi: 11.4 · world median 15.45 · Generative-AI users (% of population aged 15–64). Microsoft AI Economy Institute, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 6.1 to 73.3; higher is better.
Share of Firms' Payments Made ElectronicallyWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 64.2237.3564.22No earlier reading
Malawi: 37.35 · world median 64.22 · Payments made electronically in a typical month, excluding payroll and payments to government (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 2.172 to 99.91; higher is better.
ICT Goods ExportsUNCTAD · 2024 · world median 0.9750.140.975▼ Worsened since 2014
Malawi: 0.14 · world median 0.975 · ICT goods exports (% of total goods exports). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 61.45; higher is better.
Position 91st of 119 · derived.
Firms with Their Own WebsiteWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 62.3940.5162.39No earlier reading
Malawi: 40.51 · world median 62.39 · Firms with their own website (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 1.824 to 97.88; higher is better.
Position 142nd of 181 · derived.
Frontier Technology Readiness IndexUNCTAD · 2023 · world median 0.4850.1890.485▼ Worsened since 2013
Malawi: 0.189 · world median 0.485 · Frontier Technology Readiness Index (0–1). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 1; higher is better.
Position 153rd of 170 · derived.
Internet Use Among AdultsWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 83.0520.583.05No earlier reading
Malawi: 20.5 · world median 83.05 · Adults who used the internet in the past three months (% of population aged 15+). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 11.06 to 99.12; higher is better.
Position 135th of 140 · derived.
Mobile Phone OwnershipWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 91.6858.9991.68No earlier reading
Malawi: 58.99 · world median 91.68 · Adults who own a mobile phone (% of population aged 15+). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 45.83 to 100; higher is better.
Position 135th of 140 · derived.
Smartphone OwnershipWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 78.7813.6878.78No earlier reading
Malawi: 13.68 · world median 78.78 · Adults whose main mobile phone is a smartphone (% of population aged 15+). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 8.663 to 97.36; higher is better.
Position 138th of 140 · derived.
No better end3
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
GitHub RepositoriesGitHub · 2026 · world median 141,45451,964141,454Moved since 2020
Malawi: 51,964 · world median 141,454 · Public repositories located in the economy (as of quarter end). GitHub, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 142 to 77,284,974.
GitHub DevelopersGitHub · 2026 · world median 84,67035,74684,670Moved since 2020
Malawi: 35,746 · world median 84,670 · Developer accounts located in the economy (as of quarter end). GitHub, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 110 to 32,410,529.
GitHub Git PushesGitHub · 2025 · world median 148,71440,631148,714Moved since 2020
Malawi: 40,631 · world median 148,714 · Git pushes during the quarter. GitHub, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1,967 to 40,768,192.
No current reading for Malawi
Anthropic AI Usage Index, ICT Services Exports (last 2023), Primary Schools with Internet for Teaching (last 2023) and Share of Graduates from ICT Programmes. Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Digital & Technology among Malawi’s 15 topics
Digital & Technology is Malawi’s 9th best-placed topic of 15. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Environment & Sustainabilityjoint 22nd of 1864/4 keys
- Energy58th of 1653/3 keys
- Peace & Securityjoint 72nd of 1774/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties88th of 1984/4 keys
- Governance & Institutionsjoint 118th of 1944/4 keys
- Food & Agriculturejoint 124th of 1844/4 keys
- Gender & Equalityjoint 125th of 1834/4 keys
- Education & Knowledge141st of 1982/4 keys
- Digital & Technology146th of 1984/4 keys
- Work & Labourjoint 140th of 1824/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital159th of 1963/3 keys
- Risk & Resiliencejoint 160th of 1934/4 keys
- Health & Wellbeing182nd of 2004/4 keys
- Economy & Innovation161st of 1764/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequality150th of 1593/3 keys
No standing on Mobility & Trade: too few of those topics’ key statistics are published for this country.
06The top of the list
Who leads on digital & technology
The three countries placed highest of 198, and the leaders Malawi can most readily be measured against.
=1
EstoniaNorthern Europe
Joint 1st of 198 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Andrus Uuetalu derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY-SA 3.0 ee, greyscale
=1
South KoreaEastern Asia
Joint 1st of 198 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Unknown author · CC BY-SA 2.0, greyscale
3
SingaporeSouth-eastern Asia
3rd of 198 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Khairul Nizam . · CC BY 2.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Africa
Mauritius20th4/4 keysThis page
Malawi146th4/4 keys
Positions out of 198 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Questions
Malawi on digital & technology: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does Malawi rank on digital & technology?
Malawi is placed 146th of 198 countries on Digital & Technology in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics (GovTech Maturity Index, Government AI Readiness Index, Government Cyber Security Capacity and Digitally-Deliverable Services Exports). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest GovTech Maturity Index figure for Malawi?
0.328 in 2025 (gTMI score (0–1)), according to World Bank Group. The world median in the same edition was 0.63.
What is the latest Government AI Readiness Index figure for Malawi?
24.22 in 2025 (aI readiness score (0–100)), according to Oxford Insights. The world median in the same edition was 40.19.
How does Malawi compare with Tanzania on digital & technology?
Tanzania is placed 63rd of 198, and Malawi 146th. GovTech Maturity Index: Tanzania 0.88, Malawi 0.328; Government AI Readiness Index: Tanzania 41.45, Malawi 24.22; Government Cyber Security Capacity: Tanzania 0.35, Malawi -1.788.
How have Malawi’s digital & technology figures changed?
Government AI Readiness Index fell from 26.72 in 2020 to 24.22 in 2025; Government Cyber Security Capacity rose from -2.126 in 2000 to -1.788 in 2025; Digitally-Deliverable Services Exports rose from 12.43 in 2010 to 36.66 in 2024.
Which digital & technology statistics are missing for Malawi?
No current reading is published for Malawi on Anthropic AI Usage Index, ICT Services Exports, Primary Schools with Internet for Teaching and Share of Graduates from ICT Programmes. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
08Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
Broadband and mobile subscriptions, connection speeds and the cost of getting online are absent, for the licence reason above; internet use and phone ownership, from the World Bank’s own household survey, and firms’ websites and internet disruptions, from its Enterprise Surveys, are published here as context. The ICT share of goods exports votes under Mobility & Trade. Digital public services and data-protection law are not held yet. Research and development spending is filed under Education & Knowledge, and what an economy knows how to make is under Economy & Innovation.
How the Digital & Technology standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 4 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 4 keys to be placed.
The digital & technology method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- GovTech Maturity Index — World Bank Group, CC BY 4.0
- Government AI Readiness Index — Oxford Insights, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Government Cyber Security Capacity — V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Digitally-Deliverable Services Exports — UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), CC BY 3.0 IGO
The other 17 statistics on this page come from 6 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
Malawi’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Malawi (banner) — Rockwurm derivative work: Jjtkk, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Estonia — Andrus Uuetalu derivative work: Jjtkk, CC BY-SA 3.0 ee
- South Korea — Unknown author, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Singapore — Khairul Nizam ., CC BY 2.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Malawi: Digital & Technology — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/malawi/digital