Director of Government Communication Services Deogratias Mmana has warned that digital content piracy is undermining formal job creation and weakening Malawi’s investment climate by discouraging both local and foreign investors from participating in the creative industry.
Speaking in Blantyre during a national multi-stakeholder forum on digital piracy, Mmana said the illegal practice has also resulted in significant losses in public revenue.
He said digital piracy is driven by a combination of technological, regulatory, financial and behavioural factors, with weak enforcement, slow content takedown processes, limited prosecutions and cross-border jurisdictional challenges allowing perpetrators to operate with ease.
“Many of us are, in one way or another, culprits of digital piracy. Widespread broadband access, affordable streaming devices, social media distribution and anonymisation technologies make pirated content easily accessible and difficult to trace,” Mmana said.
He added that pirate platforms generate income through digital advertising, mobile money and subscription services while evading taxes and regulatory compliance.
“At the consumer level, low awareness of cyber-security risks and the perception that piracy is a victimless crime continue to fuel demand,” he said.
Meanwhile, Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (Macra) Director General Mayamiko Nkoloma said the country’s growing digital economy has created new opportunities for young people through digital broadcasting, online streaming, mobile applications and content creation.
“We are seeing remarkable growth in digital broadcasting, online streaming, mobile applications and digital content creation.
This growth presents enormous opportunities for employment, entrepreneurship and economic diversification. However, these opportunities must be protected,” Nkoloma said.
