• TNM marks 30 years with $577M+ investment in network, tech, and expansion
• Plans include 5G rollout, rural coverage, solar tech, and AI innovation hubs
• TNM trails Airtel Malawi in subscribers, revenue, and net profit figures
  

Telekom Networks Malawi (TNM) last week announced a series of initiatives to strengthen its network and improve service quality. The updates were shared during the company’s 30th-anniversary celebration, where TNM said it has already invested more than 1 trillion Malawian kwachas (about $577.5 million) in expanding its network, infrastructure, and technology.

Chief Executive Officer Michel Hebert said the company will continue investing to bring technology closer to Malawians. He noted that the network currently covers about 85% of the population, and the next priority is to reach the remaining 15%, mostly in rural areas.

Hebert added that TNM is committed to adopting cost-effective and sustainable technologies, particularly solar-powered systems, to expand coverage while reducing operating costs. The operator also plans to upgrade its digital financial platform, Mpamba, to provide more innovative and accessible services for a wider customer base.

The CEO also pointed to upcoming projects, including the rollout of 5G, Voice over LTE (VoLTE), and Fixed Wireless Access (FWA).

“We are setting up innovation hubs and AI laboratories to help Malawians develop AI-driven services tailored to our local needs,” Hebert said.

At the end of the first half of 2025, TNM said its actions on pricing, distribution, and network optimization were already producing positive results. The group plans to continue implementing measures to grow its customer base, increase revenue, improve efficiency, and strengthen financial performance. During the period, the company invested 13.15 billion kwachas in distribution systems, network upgrades, and license renewals to support its expansion plans.

By the end of December 2024, TNM had around 5 million subscribers, with revenue of 158.17 billion kwachas and net profit of 10.05 billion kwachas. Its main competitor, Airtel Malawi, reported 8.1 million subscribers, revenue of 270.96 billion kwachas, and net profit of 42.72 billion kwachas over the same period.

Isaac K. Kassouwi