Malawi’s Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, Simplex Chithyola Banda, has officially launched the Power of Data initiative, a comprehensive program designed to harness the potential of data for enhancing decision-making, fostering innovation, and improving economic performance across various sectors. Speaking at the launch event on Friday, Banda emphasized the initiative’s role in optimizing resources, forecasting economic trends, and assessing sectoral needs. He expressed confidence that the initiative would be a crucial tool in guiding policy decisions and driving the country’s development forward.
The Power of Data initiative is structured around three key pillars: strengthening data infrastructure, building data literacy and capacity, and promoting greater accessibility and transparency of data. Banda underscored the need for collaboration across various sectors, including government ministries, departments, agencies, the private sector, and civil society, to ensure the success of the program. He stressed that building a robust data ecosystem requires collective effort and partnerships to ensure its benefits are widespread and impactful.
In her address, Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Colleen Zamba, echoed the Minister’s sentiments, calling for effective collaboration among all stakeholders. She highlighted the transformative potential of the initiative, noting that it could provide valuable insights for policymaking, particularly in achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. Zamba further emphasized that the data initiative is crucial for aligning policies with national development priorities and ensuring that progress is measurable and sustainable.
Zamba also reiterated the importance of a forward-thinking approach to governance, where data serves as the foundation for crafting evidence-based policies. She noted that through the use of data, Malawi could better address key development challenges, improve resource allocation, and optimize the delivery of services to citizens. She expressed hope that the initiative would catalyze meaningful progress towards the country’s long-term development goals, including poverty reduction and equitable growth.
Commissioner of Statistics Dr. Shelton Kanyanda also highlighted Malawi’s commitment to advancing data-driven decision-making. He noted that the country is joining other African nations in forging national data partnerships aimed at accelerating progress on the SDGs. Kanyanda explained that the National Statistical Office (NSO) is in the final stages of developing a new National Strategy for the Development of Statistics, which will prioritize data-sharing, information management systems, and the collection of gender and climate change statistics.
Dr. Kanyanda further revealed that the strategy will address key challenges such as strengthening statistical systems and ensuring that data is accessible and usable for policymakers and the public. He emphasized that the initiative aligns with global trends, where data-driven governance is seen as essential for addressing the complex challenges of sustainable development. The initiative, according to Kanyanda, will play a critical role in improving the accuracy and reliability of data, enabling better decision-making across the public and private sectors.
The Power of Data initiative is poised to be a cornerstone in Malawi’s efforts to modernize governance and foster sustainable development. By investing in data infrastructure, capacity building, and transparent data practices, the initiative aims to create an environment where data not only informs policy but also accelerates progress toward achieving the SDGs. With strong partnerships and collaboration, Malawi hopes to leverage data as a tool for long-term growth and development.
