- MAREN is Malawi’s government-recognized NREN, created in 2005 and incorporated in 2009 to connect universities and research institutions with secure, high-speed digital networks.
- It offers comprehensive campus connectivity, cloud hosting, identity federation, cybersecurity, and capacity-building.
MAREN: Secure, high-speed connectivity for academia
The Malawi Research and Education Network (MAREN) is Malawi’s officially recognized National Research and Education Network (NREN). Established in 2005 by the University of Malawi and Mzuzu University to overcome connectivity challenges across campuses. It connects research and education institutions with reliable, high-speed Internet, enabling seamless collaboration and access to digital resources.
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MAREN: Comprehensive services & institutional impact
MAREN supports institutions such as Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences, Malawi University of Science and Technology, University of Malawi, Malawi Adventist University, and Unicaf University. Its service portfolio includes campus networking (LAN/WLAN), IPv4 and IPv6 assignments, cloud-based services, online learning platforms, identity federation (e.g., eduroam), capacity building, and cybersecurity initiatives.
MAREN: Governance, funding & strategic vision
Incorporated in 2009 and backed by the Ministry of Education, MAREN received a USD 4M seed fund in 2018 through the Digital Malawi Project. This funding enabled team expansion, network infrastructure setup, and capacity building across member institutions. MAREN’s mission is to provide affordable, secure cyber-infrastructure and digital services that foster academic collaboration, research, and innovation. Its vision is seamless access to digital solutions for every student and researcher in Malawi.
