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Public opinions on the implementation of free public Wi-Fi in Malawi

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  • Makoza, Frank

Abstract

Free public Wi-Fi is perceived to be one of the solutions of addressing barriers of Internet adoption in Malawi. The Government of Malawi received funding from the World Bank to implement 32 hotspots of free public Wi-Fi across the country. This paper analysed the stakeholder’s opinions regarding the implementation of free public Wi-Fi program. The study used a qualitative research approach. Data was collected from government department websites, social media platforms and online news websites. The data was analysed using content analysis. The findings showed positive and negative views from stakeholders on the free public Wi-Fi program. The positive opinions were related to promoting digital inclusion, safety health practices, supporting collaboration and improving education activities. The negative opinions were related to politics, biases in selection of locations, poor quality of services, priority of the program and sustainability of the program. The study offers useful insights on investment, appropriation and operations as factors that can affect free public Wi-Fi implementation in the context of developing countries.

Suggested Citation

  • Makoza, Frank, 2024. "Public opinions on the implementation of free public Wi-Fi in Malawi," EconStor Preprints 305246, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:esprep:305246
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ylipulli, Johanna & Suopajärvi, Tiina & Ojala, Timo & Kostakos, Vassilis & Kukka, Hannu, 2014. "Municipal WiFi and interactive displays: Appropriation of new technologies in public urban spaces," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 89(C), pages 145-160.
    2. Makoza, Frank, 2022. "Analysing Digital economy Strategy of Malawi against the Digital Economy Ecosystem Framework," EconStor Preprints 264273, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics.
    3. Polyxeni Vassilakopoulou & Eli Hustad, 2023. "Bridging Digital Divides: a Literature Review and Research Agenda for Information Systems Research," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 25(3), pages 955-969, June.
    4. Dzator, Janet & Acheampong, Alex O. & Appiah-Otoo, Isaac & Dzator, Michael, 2023. "Leveraging digital technology for development: Does ICT contribute to poverty reduction?," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 47(4).
    5. Brugh, Kristen & Angeles, Gustavo & Mvula, Peter & Tsoka, Maxton & Handa, Sudhanshu, 2018. "Impacts of the Malawi social cash transfer program on household food and nutrition security," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 19-32.
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