The Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) says the introduction of the Africa Broadband Mapping System will help enhance high-speed internet connectivity and improve service delivery, even in remote areas across the country.
Speaking on Tuesday at the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe during the launch of the National Broadband Mapping System in Malawi, MACRA’s Director of Telecommunications, Edward Kauka, described the initiative as timely, saying that it is expected to roll out next year after a benchmarking and analysis phase.
Kauka acknowledged that while MACRA has already implemented several initiatives such as the Connect a School Project, there are still gaps that need to be addressed.
He added that strategic measures have been put in place to ensure the effective implementation of the broadband mapping project.
In his remarks, Dana Jon Kamason, Project Manager for the Africa Broadband Mapping Systems Initiative under the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), said the goal of the initiative is to harmonize broadband systems across Africa and address existing connectivity gaps.
He disclosed that the project is being implemented in 11 countries, with Malawi being the eighth to adopt the system, both technically and in terms of policy development.
Kamason expressed optimism that initiatives like this will significantly increase connectivity rates across the country.
Despite these efforts, statistics show that internet access in Malawi remains low not only due to limited infrastructure but also issues of affordability.
The three-day event which will run up to 9th October, co-led by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and funded by the European Union (EU), aims to map broadband infrastructure and promote inclusive digital transformation across Sub-Saharan Africa.
