MACRA System to Safeguard Consumers, Ensure Fair Billing

MACRA Director General has assured the public that the RAS would not violate anyone's privacy or confidentiality.

LILONGWE, Malawi— The Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) announced plans to implement a Revenue Assurance System (RAS) on May 31, 2024, to protect consumers from unfair pricing and poor services, writes Martha Nakhate.

The RAS will ensure accurate billing and verify that consumers are charged correctly, eliminating discrepancies between advertised rates and actual charges.

The system will also help MACRA investigate consumer complaints effectively. Previously, it was challenging to intervene or take legal action due to a lack of solid evidence.

MACRA Director General Daud Suleman assured the public that the RAS would not violate anyone's privacy or confidentiality, emphasizing that the system is designed to help Malawians collect accurate revenue.

He stated that while the RAS cannot eavesdrop on conversations, it can track the duration of phone calls.

Suleman expressed satisfaction with the cooperation received from operators, stating they were working together throughout the process.

The implementation of the RAS has already contributed to a significant increase in revenue for MACRA, growing from K5 billion to K13 billion for the first time in the authority's history.

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