Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (Macra) says the country now boasts the lowest mobile data rates in Africa after slashing the cost of one gigabyte (GB) from $27.41 (about K47 540.59) in 2020 to $0.38 (about K659.08).
The 99 percent reduction has resulted from a series of Macra- coordinated reforms, including strategic regional negotiations and policy shifts across the telecommunications sector.
“This achievement is the result of concerted and coordinated action,” said Macra director general Daud Suleman in a statement. “We revised the pricing formula for spectrum fees, making them more affordable; and introduced temporary allocations to ease network congestion.”
He also cited successful negotiations with Tanzania and Zambia to reduce cross-border transit tariffs that operators pay to connect to undersea Internet cables as a critical step towards cheaper data. Similar talks with Mozambique and Namibia are ongoing, promising additional cost savings.
Suleman further credited the Malawi Internet Service Providers Association (Mispa) for championing the removal of import duties on smartphones; a move that has significantly boosted device access, particularly among low-income users.
He also cited the licensing of Starlink, SpaceX’s satellite broadband provider that has created competition on the market supported by the emergence of rural community networks, notably the women-led YathuYathu initiative.
Data from the 2023 Information and Communications Technology Survey conducted by the National Statistical Office (NSO) reinforces the trend with 18 percent of individuals reported using the Internet in the three months preceding the survey; up from 14.6 percent in 2019.
Despite Malawi’s data now being markedly cheaper than regional neighbours such as Zambia, where 1GB costs $8.01, experts warn that sustaining this progress will require continued infrastructure investment and regulatory consistency.
On the flipside, ICT Association of Malawi president Clarence Gama said while affordability is crucial, ultra-low data prices could undermine the long-term sustainability of the telecommunications sector if operators are unable to invest adequately in infrastructure.
To address the risks, Gama recommended that affordability should be accompanied by strategic investment and stronger public-private partnerships.
Malawi previously had some of the highest Internet data rates on the continent.
