1. Background

The documents listed and linked in this disclosure were presented during the Consultative Meeting on Digital Malawi Connectivity Initiatives, which focused on Rural Broadband, Universal Service Fund (USF) Cell Towers, Public Institution Connectivity and School Connectivity. The meeting was convened by the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology, in collaboration with the Public Private Partnership Commission (PPPC), under the Digital Malawi Acceleration Project (DMAP).

The meeting was held on Monday, 31 August 2026, at Amaryllis Hotel in Blantyre, commencing at 2:00 PM.

The consultation followed the initial Commercial Transaction Manual (CTM) Stakeholder Consultation Meeting held on 8 October 2025, during which stakeholders were provided with an opportunity to review the proposed CTM, assess the proposed commercial transaction models, and provide feedback. Following the consultation and subsequent stakeholder inputs, the CTM was finalised and is now ready for implementation.

The August 2026 meeting provided a platform to update stakeholders on progress made in implementing DMAP connectivity initiatives, present key project documents, and obtain feedback to enhance coordination, stakeholder engagement, and collaboration among the institutions involved.

The key areas covered during the meeting included:

1. An overview of progress in the implementation of the Digital Malawi Acceleration Project (DMAP);
2. Disclosure of approved sites for USF Cell Towers, potential sites for Public Institution Connectivity and related implementation considerations;
3. Updates on the School Connectivity initiative;
4. Updates on the Commercial Transaction Manual (CTM);
5. Progress in the implementation of the Electronic Auctioning Platform (EAP) and associated commercial transaction reforms.

2. Documents Presented During the Meeting

The following documents were presented during the meeting and are hereby disclosed for reference and information:

i. DMAP Implementation Progress

A presentation providing an overview of the project's implementation progress, key achievements, and contributions towards advancing Malawi's digital transformation agenda.

Link: DMAP Description PowerPoint Presentation.

ii. Connectivity Initiatives Update

A presentation outlining the progress and status of the various digital connectivity initiatives under DMAP, including rural broadband, public institution connectivity, and school connectivity.

Link: DMAP Stakeholder Consultation Connectivity March 2026 Update.pptx

iii. Connectivity Sites and Implementation Considerations

An Excel spreadsheet detailing the approved sites for USF Cell Towers, potential sites for Public Institution Connectivity, and relevant implementation considerations to guide the rollout of the connectivity initiatives.

Link: Connectivity Sites Excel Spreadsheet.

iv. Commercial Transaction Manual (CTM)

The Commercial Transaction Manual outlining the proposed commercial transaction framework, implementation arrangements and models for the relevant digital connectivity initiatives.

Link: Commercial Transaction Manual (PDF).

v. Electronic Auctioning Platform (EAP) and Commercial Transaction Reforms

A presentation providing an update on the implementation of the Electronic Auctioning Platform (EAP) and progress towards advancing the associated commercial transaction reforms.

Link: EAP_Stakeholder_Briefing_ISM_August_2026.pptx.

3. Participants

The meeting brought together representatives from the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology, the Department of e-Government, the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA), facility-based service licensees, network service providers, licensed Internet Service Providers (ISPs), network infrastructure companies, fixed network operators, and other stakeholders involved in the development and implementation of digital public infrastructure and DMAP connectivity initiatives.