The National Registration Bureau (NRB) has commissioned a high-performance national identity card printer.
Previously, the NRB relied on smaller printers which could only produce close to 200 cards per day.
However, the new machine has the capacity to print more than 2,600 cards per day.
The new printer is expected to reduce printing costs by 60 percent.
Speaking during the inauguration ceremony at the Capital Hill in Lilongwe, Minister of Homeland Security Ken Zikhale Ng’oma said the development is crucial, particularly as Malawi gears up for the 2025 tripartite elections where national identity cards will be mandatory for voters.
“Malawians should not be worried because we are clearing the backlog of identity cards,” said Zikhale Ng’oma.
Secretary to the President and Cabinet Colleen Zamba said digitalisation is one of the enablers for Dr Lazarus Chakwera’s administration to ensure effective service delivery.
The acquisition of the printer has been supported by the United States government through the Centre for Disease Control (CDC).
Verita Buie, a representative of CDC, said they know the importance of an identification card hence their support.
Meanwhile, the CDC has announced that another similar printer will be coming into the country shortly.
By Patrick Dambula
