Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (Macra) has called for urgent coordination and strengthening of the country’s digital backbone to ensure that digital transformation delivers inclusive economic growth.
Macra acting director general Mayamiko Nkoloma made the call after engaging key stakeholders in the information and communications technology (ICT) sector last week.
He said despite telecom operators investing in infrastructure, weak coordination risks leaving some areas under-served while others experience duplication.
“Several players are investing, but without deliberate coordination we will continue to see gaps, duplication and limited impact,” said Nkoloma in a statement made available to The Nation.
He said connectivity must also translate into innovation that addresses national development needs.
In an interview yesterday, ICT Association of Malawi (Ictam) president Clarence Gama said the focus is shifting from network expansion to impact.
“The conversation is now about whether connectivity is coordinated and delivering value, which is critical,” he said.
Public Private Partnership Commission chief executive officer Patrick Kabambe said in a separate interview that collaboration is already producing results, citing plans to roll out 98 communication towers nationwide in partnership with Macra.
