World Bank Grants $150 Million to Boost Malawi's ICT Sector
MACRA's open week includes engagements with stakeholders across Malawi's three regions, with the final event scheduled for next week in Mzuzu at the Grand Palace Hotel.
LILONGWE, Malawi— The World Bank has granted $150 million to the Malawian government to transform the country's Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector, a top official said Wednesday, writes Martin Kamlaike.
Baldwin Samuel Chiyamwaka, Secretary for Information and Digitalisation, announced the grant during the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) Open Day at the Bingu International Convention Center in Lilongwe.
"This is a grant, not a loan," Chiyamwaka emphasized.
"It's given on the basis that Malawi is on the right track to transformation."
The government has also received $10,000 from the United Nations Development Programme to support ICT innovations.
Chiyamwaka highlighted the government's substantial investments in the communications sector, aligning with the ICT transformation enabler of Malawi Vision 2063.
The Digital Malawi project will conclude in October, to be replaced by the Malawi Digital Acceleration project. This initiative aims to provide free internet services in various government institutions, including hospitals, airports, schools, and colleges.
Burnet Namacha, Acting Director of Postal Services at MACRA, expressed hope that the open day would generate feedback from operators and consumers on the regulator's performance.
"We are expecting to get feedback from them on how they are being serviced in terms of postal and courier services, broadcasting services, and telecommunication services," Namacha said.
Isaac Chirwa from Focus Solutions viewed the event as an opportunity to understand the processes involved in acquiring operating licenses and to discuss what he considers expensive licensing fees.
MACRA's open week includes engagements with stakeholders across Malawi's three regions, with the final event scheduled for next week in Mzuzu at the Grand Palace Hotel.