Digital trade regulatory integration : country profile Malawi

Abstract

The present country profile is based on observations from data sets on digital trade regulatory restrictiveness. Two data sets were developed, one modeled on the organization for Economic Co-operation and Development digital services trade restrictiveness index, and the other on measures related to digital trade integration. The period of study for the former was 2014–2020 and, for the latter, from the time the measures were effective. Regulatory measures affecting digital trade are categorized into different pillars for both the digital services trade restrictiveness index and digital trade integration. The report is therefore presented in two parts, each corresponding to one of the data sets. Information on indicators common to both data sets, such as measures on payment systems, data protection law and international treaties concerning e-commerce, is not repeated. Overall, about one fifth of the measures examined regulating digital trade in Malawi were found to be restrictive, mainly because of limited or no scope of coverage on critical aspects of some measures.