Strategic partnerships and international collaboration are essential for overcoming the technical, financial, and capacity challenges associated with preserving audiovisual archives, according to Dr Paul Lihoma, Director of the National Archives of Malawi.
Speaking during the recent Broadcast Media Africa (BMA) webinar, “Identifying, Safeguarding And Managing Risks To Sound And Audio-Visual Archives And Collections,” held on 09 June 2026, Dr Lihoma shared Malawi’s experience in developing a sustainable approach to audiovisual preservation through collaboration with regional and international partners.
During his presentation, Dr Lihoma highlighted that audiovisual digitisation remains one of the most complex areas of archival preservation, requiring specialised expertise, equipment, and financial resources that many institutions across Africa lack internally.
He explained that the National Archives of Malawi’s journey towards preserving its audiovisual collections began with a frank assessment of its own limitations, including a lack of in-house expertise in audiovisual digitisation.
Recognising the need for external support, the institution partnered with South African audiovisual preservation specialist Dr Dale Peters, who conducted a comprehensive assessment of the Archives’ audiovisual holdings. The assessment provided a detailed understanding of the collections’ condition and established a roadmap for the digitisation process.
However, Dr Lihoma noted that identifying the technical requirements was only the first step. The Archives still faced significant challenges, including limited technical skills, insufficient personnel, and a lack of specialised digitisation equipment.
“While we knew what needed to be done, we lacked the expertise, equipment, and capacity to move forward independently. This highlighted the importance of seeking partnerships that could provide both technical support and training,” he said.
To address these challenges, the National Archives of Malawi pursued additional collaborations to strengthen institutional capacity and secure the resources required to preserve its collections.
A breakthrough came with support from the Ray Foundation in New Zealand, which provided critical funding and technical assistance, enabling the digitisation of the Archives’ film collections.
According to Dr Lihoma, the success of the initiative demonstrates that collaboration is not merely beneficial but increasingly necessary for archives, broadcasters, and cultural heritage institutions seeking to safeguard valuable audiovisual content.
He emphasised that preserving audiovisual heritage requires a combination of technical expertise, knowledge transfer, capacity building, and financial investment—resources that are often best accessed through partnerships.
The experience of the National Archives of Malawi serves as an important example for institutions across Africa facing similar preservation challenges. By leveraging regional expertise and international support, the organisation has established a sustainable pathway to protect historically significant audiovisual records and ensure their continued accessibility to future generations.
The insights were shared as part of BMA’s ongoing industry engagement initiatives to support broadcasters, archivists, and heritage professionals in addressing the growing risks facing sound and audiovisual collections across the continent.
To view Dr Lihoma’s insights, please click HERE.
