Republic of Malawi

CAT

Public Sector Reforms — Making Malawi Better

Glossary

What the words on this portal mean

Plain-language definitions of the terms used across the portal. Each term links to itself, so you can share a definition directly.

Looking for how the figures are calculated? Read the methodology.

A

Achievement
How far an MDA got against a target, shown as a percentage. For a quarter it compares the reported actual value with that quarter’s target. It can exceed 100% when a target is beaten.
Where you see itStatisticsReform areasReports
Actual value
The result an MDA reports for an indicator at the end of a quarter, in the indicator’s own unit.
Where you see itReportsReform areas
Approved report
A quarterly report that the MDA has submitted and the Secretariat has reviewed and approved. Only approved reports feed this portal.
Where you see itReportsMDAs

B

Backdated actual
A correction to an earlier quarter’s result entered later. It updates the cumulative figure but not the achievement shown for the original quarter.
Where you see itReports
Baseline
The starting value of an indicator before the contract period begins, from which progress is measured.
Where you see itContractsReform areas

C

Constitutional body
An independent MDA whose existence and independence are set out in the Constitution.
Where you see itMDAs
Contract period
The years a reform contract covers, written as financial years — for example 2026/2027 Q1 to 2027/2028 Q4.
Where you see itMDAsReports
Coverage
The share of reform areas or MDAs with an approved result for a period, out of those that had a target due.
Where you see itHomeStatistics
Cumulative
A running position to date, not only what was added in the latest quarter. Every indicator on this portal is cumulative.
Where you see itReportsReform areas

D

Decreasing indicator
An indicator where a lower value is better, such as the time taken to process a licence.
Where you see itReports

I

Increasing indicator
An indicator where a higher value is better, such as the number of schools connected.
Where you see itReports
Indicator
A measure used to track an output. It has a unit, a baseline and targets.
Where you see itReportsContracts

L

Local council
A district, municipal or city council.
Where you see itMDAs

M

MDA
Ministry, Department or Agency. The collective name for the public bodies with reform contracts: ministries, parastatals, local councils and constitutional bodies.
Where you see itThroughout the portal
Ministry
A government ministry, including departments that fall under one, as categorised on this portal.
Where you see itMDAs
MW2063
Malawi’s long-term national development vision. Its pillars and enablers are the thematic areas used on this portal.
Where you see itReform areasStatistics

N

No progress recorded
A target was due and the recorded result is zero.
Where you see itReform areasReports
No target this quarter
The contract sets no target for this quarter, so nothing was due.
Where you see itReform areasReports
Not reported
A target was due and no approved result is published yet.
Where you see itThroughout the portal

O

Outcome
The lasting change a reform aims to bring about, delivered through its outputs.
Where you see itContractsReform areas
Output
A specific result or deliverable an MDA commits to produce within a reform area, measured by indicators.
Where you see itContractsReports

P

Parastatal
A public body or state-owned enterprise established to deliver a public function, such as a regulator, university or utility.
Where you see itMDAs
Pillar and enabler
The two kinds of MW2063 theme. Pillars are the main areas of growth, and enablers support them. The portal calls each one a thematic area.
Where you see itReform areasStatistics

Q

Quarter
A three-month period of the financial year. Q1 is April to June, Q2 July to September, Q3 October to December, and Q4 January to March.
Where you see itThroughout the portal

R

Reform area
A strategic commitment an MDA makes in its contract to improve services, efficiency or governance. It has outputs and indicators.
Where you see itThroughout the portal
Reform contract
The signed agreement between an MDA and PSRMD setting out its reform areas, outputs, indicators, targets and weights. An approved contract cannot be changed.
Where you see itMDAs
Reporting period
The quarter a report covers.
Where you see itReportsStatistics
Reporting window
The time during which MDAs may submit a quarterly report. It closes two weeks after the quarter ends. Later submission needs Secretariat approval.
Where you see itReporting calendar

S

Secretariat
The Public Sector Reform Management Department (PSRMD), which reviews and approves reports.
Where you see itAboutMethodology
Status
A label showing how a reform area’s achievement compares with its target for the quarter.
Where you see itReform areasStatistics

T

Target
The value an MDA commits to reach for an indicator by a given quarter or by the end of the contract.
Where you see itContractsReports
Thematic area
A grouping of reform areas under an MW2063 pillar or enabler.
Where you see itReform areasStatistics

W

Weight
The share of an MDA’s overall figure that one reform area carries, set in the signed contract.
Where you see itContractsMDAs

Still unclear about a term?

Read how the figures are measured, or ask the Secretariat.

Read the methodologyContact us