LocationsMalawi Accelerates Birth Registration as Over 213,000 Children Registered in Dedza
February 3, 2026
Homeland Security Minister, Hon. Peter Mukhitho (left), visits one the birth registration centres in Dedza.
Malawi is making significant progress toward universal birth registration, with more than 213,000 children already registered in Dedza District under the ongoing National Birth Registration Campaign, representing 57 per cent of the district’s target.
The milestone was highlighted during a field visit by the Minister of Homeland Security, Peter Mukhitho, accompanied by his Deputy, Norman Chisale, and senior officials from UNDP Malawi, the National Registration Bureau, and development partners supporting the campaign.
The delegation toured four registration centres in Dedza District, where some school classrooms have been transformed into community registration hubs, bringing birth registration services closer to families and enabling thousands of children under the age of six to receive a legal identity for the first time.
According to Dedza District Commissioner Rosemary Nawacha, a total of 464 teachers, 256 head teachers, and 233 verification officers have been trained to support the exercise.
“A total of 371,567 children are being targeted in Dedza, where registration commenced on 26 January 2026. As of now, 213,314 children have been successfully registered, marking strong progress toward universal coverage,” she said.
UNDP Resident Representative, Fenella Frost (right) speaks to the Minister of Homeland Security, Hon. Peter Mukhitho.
Legal Identity as a Foundation for Development
Speaking during the visit, Fenella Frost, UNDP Resident Representative in Malawi, described the campaign as a landmark achievement in strengthening child protection, inclusive development, and effective governance.
“Birth registration is more than an administrative process, it is a child’s first right. It unlocks access to education, healthcare, social protection and legal safeguards,” she said.
“This progress reflects strong national leadership and meaningful partnerships. We are grateful for the support of the European Union, the Governments of Norway and Ireland, and the close collaboration with the Government of Malawi, which together are helping ensure that every child is counted.”
Ms. Frost noted that Malawi is among the few countries in Southern Africa implementing birth registration linked to a unique national identification system, laying a strong foundation for digital governance and data-driven service delivery.
The European Union Ambassador to Malawi, Daniel Aristi Gaztelumendi, Ireland’s Ambassador to Malawi, Kate Brady, and the UNDP Resident Representative, Fenella Frost, pose with mothers who brought their children for registration at a centre in Bembeke, Dedza.
Development Partners Underscore Demand and Impact
Development partners accompanying the visit welcomed the progress achieved so far, while underscoring the importance of sustaining momentum to meet growing demand at community level.
Kate Brady, Ireland's Ambassador to Malawi, observed that the centres visited were experiencing overwhelming demand, with many parents and guardians eager to register their children.
She noted that the high turnout demonstrated strong public confidence in the campaign and highlighted the need to ensure that registration timelines do not inadvertently exclude children. She encouraged the Government to remain flexible so that the registration period does not become a barrier to universal coverage.
Anne Sofie Bjelland, Ambassador of Norway to Malawi, commended the Government and partners for the progress made, emphasising the broader protection role of legal identity.
She stressed that birth registration is a critical tool in the fight against child marriage, as proof of age strengthens enforcement of child protection laws and safeguards the rights of girls.
Similarly, Daniel Aristi Gaztelumendi, the European Union's Ambassador to Malawi, said that witnessing the campaign on the ground alongside all partners offered a powerful perspective.
He noted that seeing communities, government institutions, UN agencies, and development partners working together brought the initiative's impact to life, and thanked all stakeholders for the tangible results achieved.
Over 371,000 children are being targeted for registration in Dedza.
Government Commitment and Partner Collaboration
Minister Mukhitho reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to achieving universal birth registration, emphasising that policy decisions must translate into tangible impact at community level.
“Every policy starts in the office, but its success is measured on the ground. What we are witnessing here is a clear example of Government, development partners and communities working together to make history,” he said.
“As a Ministry, we will work closely with the National Registration Bureau and our partners to ensure that no child, regardless of where they are born, is left unregistered.”
A National Campaign with Long-Term Impact
The National Birth Registration Campaign is being implemented by the National Registration Bureau, in partnership with the Government of Malawi, UNDP, UNICEF, and with financial support from the European Union, Ireland and Norway.
Delivered through UNDP’s Inclusive Digital Transformation for Malawi (IDT4M) programme, the campaign strengthens Malawi’s Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) systems by integrating birth registration into schools, health facilities and community structures while building a permanent digital identity system that will serve citizens throughout their lives
As the campaign continues to roll out nationwide, Malawi is laying the groundwork for stronger governance, better planning, and inclusive development, ensuring that every child starts life visible, protected, and counted.