Ministry of Information and Communications Technology Malawi

08/08/2026

08/08/2026

The body of late Director General of the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC), Brian Banda, will be laid to rest on Monday, August 10, 2026.

According to MBC Public Relations and Customer Affairs Manager, Chisomo Mwamadi, the funeral programme for the late Banda indicates that on Sunday, 9 August 2026,
his remains will be taken from Mthunzi Mortuary at 11am to Word of Faith Church in Chilobwe, Blantyre, where a a Church service will be held.

On Monday, 10 August 2026, the late Brian Banda will be laid to rest at M’banda Village, Chileka, a few kilometres after Bakili Muluzi International Airport, Blantyre.

05/08/2026

Minister of Information and Communications Technology, Dr. Shadric Namalomba, has called on public relations officers from parastatals to uphold their public mandate by ensuring that citizens receive clear, accurate and timely information.

Namalomba made the call on Wednesday at the close of a two-day workshop for Public Relations Managers and officers from ministries and state-owned enterprises in Salima.

Namalomba challenged the spokespersons to ensure transparency, accountability and professionalism in their work and put into practice the knowledge gained during the workshop.

05/08/2026

Minister of Information and Communications Technology, Dr. Shadric Namalomba, has urged Heads of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to lead coordinated digital transformation to improve public service delivery and support national development.

Speaking during a meeting of Heads of ICT in Lilongwe, Namalomba said Government has made digital transformation a key national priority and called on ICT leaders to align all digital investments with development goals.

He directed MDAs to follow Government ICT standards, consult the Department of E-Government on major projects, and submit digital transformation action plans to strengthen cybersecurity and embrace innovation.

04/08/2026

Ministry of Information and Communications Technology has organised a two-day workshop for government public relations officers at Livingstonia Beach in Salima with support from Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA).

The training started today and ends tomorrow. Today's session has brought together over 50 public relations officers from ministries and government departments.

Tomorrow, the ministry will engage public relations and communications managers from government parastatals.

Opening the workshop, Minister of Information and Communications Technology Dr. Shadric Namalomba said public relations officers play a vital role in providing citizens with timely and accurate information.

Namalomba said this helps promote public participation in government programmes and services.

The Minister said the training has come at the right time. He said communication is no longer just a support function but a strategic service that promotes good governance, transparency and public trust.

He urged the officers to apply the knowledge gained during the workshop in their daily work. He said effective communication is essential for showcasing government progress and strengthening engagement with citizens.

29/07/2026

Ministry of Information and Communications Technology today joined Computers for Enhanced Education (CEE) and its partner Raspberry Pi Foundation, at the Code Club Project Awards Ceremony in Lilongwe.

The event celebrated the hard work and achievements of learners, teachers and schools taking part in the programme.

Speaking at the event, Minister of Information and Communications Technology, Dr. Shadric Namalomba, said digital skills are important for Malawi’s development, adding that Government remains committed to expanding access to technology and digital learning in line with Malawi 2063.

The Code Club Project has established 90 Code Clubs in secondary schools, trained 90 (Information, Communications and Technology) ICT teachers and reached more than 3,600 learners with coding and digital skills. These results show the value of investing in young people.

Namalomba congratulated the learners who received the awards and thanked all teachers, parents and partners for supporting the programme.

The Minister encouraged learners to keep learning, asking questions and using their skills to solve everyday problems.

28/07/2026

Government has identified Nduwa School as the preferred site for the construction of a mobile network tower aimed at improving connectivity in Ulongwe Trading Center, Senior Chief Mduwa and surrounding areas.

According to the minister of Information and Communications Technology Dr. Shadric Namalomba, the ministry is aware of network coverage challenges affecting the area, adding that consultations with mobile network operators TNM and Airtel established that neither company had budgeted for tower construction at the proposed site during the current financial year.

Dr. Namalomba, added that TNM indicated the site could be considered for inclusion in its future capital investment programme.

The minister said government, through the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA), will use resources from the Universal Service Fund alongside support from the World Bank-funded Digital Malawi Acceleration Program (DMAP) to facilitate the development of the infrastructure.

Furthermore, he said the tower is expected to improve access to voice and data services while supporting economic activities, education and healthcare delivery in the area.

He concluded that the initiative is part of government’s broader strategy to extend telecommunications infrastructure to underserved communities and bridge the digital divide.

By Khumbo Msambala Salanje

28/07/2026

Minister of Information and Comunications Technology Dr Shadric Namalomba has said through Connect a School Project, government is expanding digital access across Malawi to ensure that no community is left behind.

Namalomba was responding to a question from Karonga Central Member of Parliament Frank Mwenefumbo, on the progress made through Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA ) towards the construction of the Information Technology laboratory that was approved for Luashyo Village under Group Village Headman Mwangolera,

Namalomba reaffirmed the government's commitment to the Connect a School Project which he said, aims at building ICT laboratories and connecting public schools to the internet.

Designed to promote digital inclusion by establishing ICT laboratories equipped with modern computer facilities and realable internet connectivity, the project will construct 250 ICT laboratories thereby enhancing digital literacy and supporting growth of Malawi’s digital economy.

Namalomba said the first phase is going on well with procurement of equipment for the first 25 schools almost completed.

He said planning for the next phase is already underway
and that Luashyo village is among the targetted communities.

27/07/2026

Minister of Information and Communications Technology Dr. Shadric Namalomba says government will erect more network towers in Balaka, Nkhata Bay, Thyolo and Chitipa districts through Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA)’s Universal Service Fund.

Namalomba said that about 100 towers have already been secured through World Bank financing, while Airtel Malawi and TNM plan to construct more than 450 towers over the next five years to help achieve government's target of connecting eight out of every 10 Malawians by 2030.

Namalomba made the remarks in Parliament when responding to Balaka Rivirivi legislator Chigundo Makande, who asked whether government would facilitate the installation of a network tower at Kwitanda Trading Centre.

The Minister said the towers in Balaka and other districts will be erected in the 2026/27 financial year. The project will be implemented through the Universal Service Fund and MACRA.

He said the ministry is aware of network coverage gaps. He said the government is working with MACRA, the Universal Service Fund and development partners, including the World Bank, to expand digital infrastructure and improve connectivity in underserved areas.

24/07/2026

Government opens door for third mobile operator

Government will soon invite bids for a third mobile network operator as part of efforts to increase competition and improve telecommunications services in the country.

Speaking in Parliament, Minister of Information and Communications Technology, Dr. Shadric Namalomba said President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika has authorised the ministry to identify a serious investor capable of rolling out mobile network infrastructure without delay.

Namalomba said previous licence holders had acquired spectrum but failed to establish operations, forcing government to revoke some licences, with the affected companies later suing the State for damages.

He said government is seeking an experienced operator that will utilise the allocated spectrum effectively and enhance competition in the mobile telecommunications sector.

Reported by Khumbo Msambala Salanje
Picture by Innocent Manda