The procurement process to deploy 100 cell towers in underserved areas across Malawi is expected to begin in the coming months, Digital Malawi Acceleration Project (DMAP) Project Manager Chimwemwe Matemba has disclosed.

Matemba made the announcement on Tuesday, when the World Bank Implementation Support Mission (ISM) for DMAP, led by Task Team Leader Paul Ndungutse, met with the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) to review progress on key digital initiatives supported under the project.

Matemba (C), Ndungutse (R) and Nkoloma during the meeting

The engagement brought together the World Bank mission team and MACRA officials, led by Director General Dr Mayamiko Nkoloma, alongside representatives from the Universal Service Fund (USF) and the Data Protection Authority (DPA).

Discussions focused on progress and implementation of several DMAP-supported initiatives, including the USF 100 Cell Towers Initiative, the Malawi Computer Emergency Response Team (Malawi CERT), electronic Know Your Customer (eKYC), Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), and the operationalisation of the Data Protection Authority.

Matemba said the deployment of the 100 cell towers will help expand access to digital connectivity in underserved communities across the country.

He added that the project is also supporting the operationalisation of the DPA through a consultancy aimed at developing an implementation plan covering the Authority's institutional structure, policies, operational guidelines, legal instruments, as well as a five-year business and cost implementation model.

“Discussions are underway to incorporate a strategic plan for the DPA into the consultancy. We are also supporting capacity-building activities under the Spectrum Administration and Trading programme, as well as other public infrastructure interventions,” he said.

In his remarks, Ndungutse highlighted the importance of data and statistics collected by MACRA in collaboration with the National Statistical Office (NSO), noting that the information is critical for measuring and reporting progress against key DMAP indicators.

Ndungutse delivering his remarks during the meeting

He said that, subject to the availability of funding under the next tranche, support for data collection could potentially continue during the next implementation cycle.

MACRA Director General Dr Mayamiko Nkoloma welcomed the progress registered under DMAP, saying the project remains critical to expanding digital access, strengthening regulatory capacity and ensuring that underserved communities benefit from Malawi's digital transformation agenda.

Nkoloma: This is a welcome development.