Malawi is amongst 11 sub-Saharan African countries that have been selected to benefit from initiative by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to implement national broadband mapping systems. This was announced during the ITU Global Symposium for Regulators (GSR) currently underway in Kampala, Uganda being attended by Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA). The bold and ambitious initiative, AfricaBBMaps, will see the countries — Malawi, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Benin, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Burundi — receiving €15 million over four years (2024-2027).
The announcement was witnessed by MACRA chairperson, Bridget Chibwana, who warmly embraced the initiative, noting its potential to propel Malawi’s ongoing efforts towards establishing substantial broadband connectivity. Chibwana expressed her deep gratitude on behalf of Malawi, saying: “AfricaBBMaps is both a significant and opportune intervention that has the potential to bolster Malawi’s existing digital inclusion programs. “I extend my heartfelt thanks to both the EU and ITU for choosing Malawi as a beneficiary country for the coming four years, a decision that we deeply appreciate.
” She added that AfricaBBMaps aims to establish broadband mapping systems that are capable of producing readily available validated data to identify internet connectivity gaps in coverage, quality and affordability in beneficiary countries. This will enable data-driven decisi.