Macra strives for digital inclusivity

M

alawi Communications Regulatory Authority (Macra) director general Daud Suleman says coordination among stakeholders is critical towards reducing the connectivity gap in the country and attain digital inclusivity.

In an address at a day-long workshop on the Mobile Connectivity Index held in Lilongwe in partnership with the Global Systems for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA), he described the index as a vital tool in identifying challenges hindering improved connectivity and digital inclusivity among different players.

Suleman said the index indicates how a country is progressing and areas for improvement.

He said: “This helps us to revisit policies and strategies so that we match the global standards. This is why we requested the workshop  to allow different players to have an understanding of where we as a country are not doing well and come up with collaborated efforts to address these challenges.”

Suleman also said by addressing connectivity challenges, the regulator wants to pave the way for digital economic activities by honing and exporting digital skills.

He said: “In the next financial year, we aim to be at par with other sub-Saharan Africa countries. At the moment, Malawi is still lagging behind its neighbours Zambia, Mozambique and Tanzania.

“In a digital economy, there is need for new skills to align with the new opportunities that have come in, meaning to say you can be in Rumphi and still work for Google. These are the kinds of digital skills we want to be able to export.”

GSMA senior advocacy manager Anne Shannon Baxter said there is room for Malawi to improve its mobile connectivity if factors such as affordability and consumer readiness are dealt with.

“The purpose of the workshop is to allow Macra and other agencies to look at the data themselves and uncover those policy priority areas and mark where they need to focus their efforts in order to improve connectivity in the country,” she said.

Airtel Malawi plc acting director of business Limbani Ngoma said the workshop gave mobile service providers an opportunity to appreciate the population they serve and spot actions that need to be taken to push the development agenda and reach more people in line with Macra’s vision of attaining digital inclusivity.