Malawi has taken, in recent months, many steps to rapidly develop its ICT industry. Among others, the country has ratified the Constitution and the African Telecommunications Union Convention The goverment has also allowed Starlink to provide satellite Internet access in the country.

Last week, the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) launched a project entitled "Better Quality of Service (QoS) in Malawi" to improve telecommunications services in the country. The six-month project is carried out in partnership with an expert from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

According to Edward Kauka, MACRA's Director of Telecommunications, one of the project’s goals is to assess the current state of mobile network services, quality-wise, and to identify areas for improvement. The regulator will then work with local stakeholders and mobile network operators to implement targeted strategies and solutions that will lead to measurable and sustainable improvements in service quality.

The project aligns with the watchdog’s ambition to ensure the provision of quality services while prioritizing transparency, reliability, market orientation, efficiency and consumer satisfaction. Moreover, it aligns with the Malawian government's desire to accelerate the development of the ICT sector in a context of accelerated digital transformation marked by high demand for broadband connectivity.

"We aim to provide an enabling and supportive environment for the growth of cyberspace and the digital economy. We cannot digitally transform ourselves if we do not have quality of service for ICT services," said Edward Kauka, Managing Director MACRA.

Isaac K. Kassouwi