Max Phone Repair and Accessories: A Beacon of Innovation in Lilongwe’s Phone Repair Industry
Ntila’s success story serves as an inspiration for other young men to take initiative and employ themselves instead of waiting for the government or companies.
LILONGWE, Malawi — For 40-year-old Maxwell Ntila, the dream of venturing into phone repairs seemed far-fetched, writes Christopher Jimu.
After unsuccessful attempts at various businesses, Ntila decided to teach himself how to fix broken phones out of sheer curiosity.
His journey, fraught with challenges and setbacks, is a testament to his resilience and determination.
Ntila shared his story with AfricaBrief’s Christopher Jimu. “After dropping out of school, I thought my future was doomed,” Ntila said.
“But I decided not to give in and rise every time I fell.”
In 2005, Ntila moved to South Africa in search of greener pastures.
“Things were not going well for me, and I thought by going to South Africa, I would be able to make ends meet easily,” he said.
“But alas, it was not meant to be. It was hell on earth in a foreign land without relations. Things were really tough, and I just decided to come back home.”
Upon returning home, Ntila started selling phone accessories but yearned for something more challenging.
“I started teaching myself how to fix phones,” he said.
“Since I was always in the company of cell phone technicians, things did not prove very difficult. Within two months, I was able to fix all kinds of phones and open my shop near the Mogasa Hotel on the popular Devil Street.”
Today, Max Phone Repair and Accessories is one of the most popular shops in Lilongwe. On a good day, over 30 customers visit the shop.
The store offers a wide range of phone accessories, including chargers, batteries, pouches, modulators, and memory cards, at affordable prices.
As a sign that his business is flourishing, Ntila has managed to purchase land where he is constructing a house and is also driving a posh car—all because of his cell phone business.
Ntila’s success story serves as an inspiration for other young men to take initiative and employ themselves instead of waiting for the government or companies.