Ministry of Information and Communications Technology Malawi

03/09/2026

Minister of Information and Communications Technology, Dr. Shadric Namalomba, has challenged the Ministry’s parastatals to improve their performance, remain accountable and ensure their work supports Malawi’s Vision 2063 and Government priorities.

Namalomba said this in Blantyre on Thursday, when he opened an interface meeting between the ministry and its parastatals.

The meeting has brought together the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC), Malawi Posts Corporation (MPC), Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) and Malawi Digital Broadcasting Network Limited (MDBNL).

Deputy Chief Secretary to the Government and Comptroller of Statutory Corporations, Stuart Ligomeka, called on the parastatals to support one another and work together for effective service delivery.

MACRA Board Chairperson, Chancy Gondwe, said despite having different roles, the parastatals serve one Government and should therefore work together to improve service delivery.

01/09/2026

Kalira Village in Traditional Authority Kalumbu now has reliable mobile and internet services after government switched on a new telecommunications tower.

The tower is the 36th built under the Last Mile Rural Connectivity Project. The project aims to provide network access to underserved communities across Malawi.

The new facility covers about 10 square kilometres. It will help residents, schools, health centres and businesses make calls, use the internet and access mobile money services more easily.

Minister of Information and Communications Technology Shadric Namalomba said the development will help narrow Malawi’s digital gap. He also called for cheaper smartphones so more people can benefit from the service.

Government plans to build 99 more towers. The project is expected to reach its target by June 2027.

This project is in alignment with the vision of President Professor Peter Mutharika of digitalising government services.

For Kalira residents, the days of climbing hills for a network signal are now over.

29/08/2026

Minister of Information and Communications Technology, Dr. Shadric Namalomba, has called on Eastern and Southern African Management Institute (ESAMI) alumni, especially those in the public service, to reject corruption and uphold integrity in their daily work.

Namalomba, who is also an ESAMI alumnus, said this in Lilongwe on Friday when he was Guest of Honour at the launch of the ESAMI Malawi Alumni Chapter.

He urged members to put their training into practice, follow proper procedures and serve the public with honesty and accountability.

26/08/2026

Government has commended the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the ICT Association of Malawi (ICTAM) for promoting digital access for people with visual impairments.

Speaking during the launch of Cohort 2 of the Introduction to Computer Basics for the Visually Impaired (ICBVI) programme in Lilongwe, Director of Information, Milca Manyozo, said the programme supports Malawi’s digital transformation.

Manyozo said the programme will help ensure no one is left behind.

ICTAM General Manager Andrew Kamwendo said the first cohort had positive results.

Malawi Council for Disability Affairs (MACODA) Vice Board Chairperson Vincent Langero noted among other things that the training is helping participants use mobile money and browse the internet on their own.

20/08/2026

Government Calls for Affordable Smartphone Financing to Bridge Malawi’s Digital Divide

Minister of Information and Communications Technology Dr. Shadric Namalomba has called on network operators, including Telecom Networks Malawi (TNM) and Airtel, to adopt flexible, credit-based smartphone financing models to make devices more affordable.

He made the call today during the launch of the Digital Africa Summit at the Bingu International Convention Centre in Lilongwe.
Namalomba said only 12.5 percent of Malawians actively access the internet, leaving about 80 percent offline due to high smartphone costs, low digital literacy and limited local-language content.

He urged telecommunications companies to expand access to smartphones through affordable, structured credit systems, while also investing in digital skills training.

“The challenge is that smartphones are too expensive. I urge telecommunication companies to invest in more affordable smartphones so that everyone can access the digital world. This would also benefit our economy,” Namalomba said.

He said Malawi has made significant progress in digital infrastructure, with 87 percent 4G smartphone coverage, which is above the African average.

“We have scored very well on digital infrastructure. That 87 percent coverage is remarkable. But where we are lacking and need serious discussion and intervention is in internet penetration,” he said.

Namalomba projected that increasing internet access to 30 percent by 2030 could double the ICT sector’s current 6.5 percent contribution to Malawi’s GDP.

19/08/2026

Malawi is hosting a Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) consultative engagement and awareness training on harnessing Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Emerging Technologies under Inclusive Digitalisation for Eastern and Southern Africa (IDEA) programme.

Minister of Information and Communications Technology, Dr. Shadric Namalomba, called for a practical implementation of the recommendations to arise from the meeting.

Namalomba said the meeting should identify priority areas where AI can deliver the greatest development impact, mainly in agriculture, healthcare, education, financial services, public service delivery, trade and climate resilience.

"We must invest in the foundations that will enable this transformation: connectivity, digital infrastructure, quality data, digital skills, innovation ecosystems, appropriate policy and regulation, cybersecurity, and digital trust," Namalomba said.

The Minister also called for policies that will promote digital inclusion, stressing the need to ensure the advancements reach all Malawians, including women, young people, rural communities and persons with disabilities.

He urged the participants to identify infrastructure and skill gaps, policy challenges and institutional capacity needs for a responsible adoption of AI.

19/08/2026