Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) Acting Director General, Mayamiko Nkoloma says Malawi needs a strong digital backbone to drive its digital transformation agenda noting that reliable and affordable digital infrastructure is no longer an option but a foundation of modern economies.
In an interview after a series of engagements with key players in the country’s ICT industry, Nkoloma observes that for Malawi to develop meaningfully, it must first strengthen and coordinate our national digital backbone. While several telecommunications players are investing in infrastructure, he says there is a need for deliberate coordination to ensure services are well spread across the country, reach underserved areas, and provide the bandwidth required for today’s digital services.
“Encouragingly, Malawi is already implementing projects aimed at connecting the unconnected. This year, new telecommunications towers are planned for underserved regions. To maximise impact, industry stakeholders must work together to define priority areas and avoid duplication. Rwanda provides a strong African example, where coordinated broadband planning and infrastructure sharing enabled nationwide connectivity and rapid digital growth,” notes Nkoloma.
Nkoloma says once the backbone is strengthened, the next step is to unlock innovation. Digital infrastructure only creates value when it enables local innovators, startups, and software developers to build solutions that respond to national needs.
He cites MACRA’s Connect a School (CAS) initiative, which seeks to establish ICT laboratories in secondary schools across constituencies, as a perfect example. However, connectivity must be complemented by relevant digital applications such as e-learning platforms, digital libraries, and communication tools developed by local innovators.
He says MACRA, is repositioning itself to champion innovation and research through our ICT Development Department. We will support research, pilot projects, innovation programmes, and partnerships that translate ideas into practical digital solutions, ensuring that digital transformation benefits all sectors of the economy,” he highlights.
“To fully unlock this potential, Malawi must deliberately identify and nurture digital talent nationwide. Establishing National ICT Innovation Awards will help expose unique talent and inspire young innovators. Winning ideas should then go through incubation programmes to transform them into market-ready products. This requires collaboration with academia, industry experts, and experienced innovators, including drawing expertise from outside Malawi where necessary,” says Nkoloma.
Countries such as India and Kenya demonstrate what is possible. Through investment in infrastructure, innovation ecosystems, and talent development, they have become global technology players, creating jobs and export revenue.
Malawi’s digital transformation is a shared responsibility. By strengthening our digital backbone, opening the sector to innovation, and nurturing talent, we can build an inclusive digital economy that creates opportunity for every citizen, in every corner of the country
During the week, the MACRA Acting Director General had engagements with key players in the ICT sector including mobile network and internet service providers, academia, Helios Towers, ICT Association of Malawi, AZAM TV and Public Private Partnership Commission with a focus building collaborations to drive digital transformation.
