Research rules
Data protection law in Malawi: registration and research permits
What a survey team needs to know about personal data and survey authorization in Malawi.
Summary for planning; confirm requirements with the regulator before fieldwork.
Status
operational regulator
Data protection law
Data Protection Act 2024 (Act 6 of 2024) (2024)
Registration
registration regime under the Act; authority being stood up
Survey permits
National statistics office
Note
Data Protection Act assented in February 2024, replacing the 2023-era framework; implementing authority in setup phase.
Malawi research rules: common questions
Is there a data protection law in Malawi?
Data Protection Act 2024 (Act 6 of 2024) (2024).
Who regulates personal data in Malawi?
Data Protection Authority (provided for by the Act).
Do I need to register to collect personal data in Malawi?
Registration regime under the Act; authority being stood up.
Do I need a permit to run a survey in Malawi?
NSO permit required under the Statistics Act 2013.
Sources: the regulator and statistics office pages linked above, retrieved 10 Oct 2026. See our methods.