Association of Records Managers and Archivists (ARMA) Held Its First Annual General Meeting

The Association of Records Managers and Archivists (ARMA) held its first annual general meeting in Salima on 20 November 2025. The event brought together records professionals, government representatives and regional leaders to discuss the future of information management in Malawi. ARMA President Alufeyo Manda stressed the need for stronger digitisation in both public and private sectors, saying the country must build a culture of preserving and managing records for future reference. Guest of honour Paul Lihoma, Director of the National Records and Archives Services of Malawi, acknowledged that Malawi is still behind in modern records management but reaffirmed the government’s commitment to safeguarding public information with transparency and accountability. He warned that without investment in digital systems, skills development, and modern preservation methods, the country risks facing a digital information crisis. Firimin Msiangi, Secretary General of the Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Branch of the International Council on Archives (ESARBICA), noted that Malawi is making progress and encouraged increased financing and capacity-building to sustain momentum.