COMESA Opens Malawi Consultations to Shape Regional AI and Digital Inclusion Policy
Stakeholders from across the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) have gathered in Lilongwe, Malawi, for a four-day consultation aimed at helping define the region’s future approach to Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Digital Inclusion (DI). The meeting is expected to generate country-level input that will feed into broader regional consultations and support the development of practical, evidence-based digital policies, model guidelines, and regulatory frameworks tailored to the different levels of digital readiness among COMESA Member States.
Held under the patronage of Malawi’s Minister of Information and Communications Technology, Dr. Shadric Namalomba, the consultation marks an important step in COMESA’s effort to ensure emerging technologies are deployed in ways that are inclusive, responsible, and aligned with regional development priorities. Officials say the process is designed to capture the realities on the ground in member countries so that future policy tools are not only ambitious, but also implementable.
Speaking at the opening, COMESA Director of Infrastructure and Logistics Dr. Bernard Dzawanda said the Lilongwe meeting reflects the bloc’s commitment to building a coordinated digital future for the region. He noted that AI is rapidly becoming a major driver of economic and social transformation, but warned that without clear governance frameworks and inclusion strategies, the technology risks deepening existing inequalities.
According to COMESA, the consultations are focusing on how member states can benefit from AI while also expanding digital access for underserved communities. That includes examining issues such as infrastructure gaps, regulatory preparedness, digital literacy, innovation support, data governance, and the protections needed to build trust in AI systems.
The Malawi discussions are expected to provide insights into national priorities, institutional capacity, and policy gaps that will help shape regional tools suited to countries at different stages of digital maturity. Rather than applying a one-size-fits-all model, COMESA is seeking to create frameworks that can be adapted to each member state’s context while still promoting regional alignment.
This approach is especially relevant in Eastern and Southern Africa, where digital transformation is advancing at uneven speed. Some countries are expanding broadband networks, scaling e-government platforms, and experimenting with AI applications in sectors such as agriculture, health, trade, and education. Others are still dealing with foundational challenges including affordable connectivity, reliable electricity, and limited access to digital devices and skills.
For COMESA, digital inclusion is therefore not a side issue but a central policy concern. Ensuring that women, youth, rural populations, small businesses, and marginalized communities can participate in the digital economy is seen as essential to making AI and other emerging technologies work for development rather than exclusion.
The consultation in Lilongwe also highlights the growing push among African regional institutions to develop homegrown digital policy responses. As AI adoption accelerates globally, governments and regional blocs are under pressure to address ethical concerns, safeguard data, manage risks, and create conditions that encourage innovation. COMESA’s initiative suggests a recognition that regional coordination can help member states respond more effectively to fast-moving technological change.
Participants are expected to discuss what practical policy and regulatory measures are needed to support responsible AI uptake, close digital divides, and strengthen cross-border cooperation. The outcome of the meeting will contribute to a wider regional policy development process intended to deliver actionable guidance for governments across the COMESA region.
By using Malawi’s input as part of a broader consultation effort, COMESA aims to ensure that its eventual AI and digital inclusion instruments are grounded in the lived experiences of member states. The broader goal is to create a digital policy environment that supports innovation, protects citizens, and expands opportunities across one of Africa’s largest regional economic blocs.
