By Khumbo Kmaliza
Lilongwe, June 24, Mana: Malawi has reaffirmed its commitment to regional ICT development by officially submitting its Instrument of Ratification to the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) Constitution and Convention, transitioning from observer to full member status.
The submission was made on June 12, 2025, in Nairobi, Kenya, by Director General of the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) Daud Suleman, and received by Alice Koech on behalf of the ATU.
The move elevates Malawi’s participation in continental ICT policymaking and governance.
Head of International Affairs and Corporate Communication at MACRA Limbani Nsapatosaid, “This ratification reflects Malawi’s recognition of the critical role telecommunications play in economic and social development,”
Limbani said the development marks a key step in strengthening the country’s contribution to regional integration and capacity building in the ICT sector.
Nsapato added that the decision allows Malawi not only to contribute ideas but also to influence decisions at the continental level.
He said: “This initiative elevates Malawi from observer to active decision maker giving it a voice in shaping Africa’s ICT future.”
According to MACRA, the ratification grants Malawi full participation rights in all ATU programs, including conferences, policy-making forums, and elections to the Administrative Council, the Union’s principal governing body.
Speaking after the submission, Suleman said Malawi looks forward to leveraging its new status to champion inclusive, secure, and innovative digital frameworks.
Suleman said, “The Government of Malawi, through MACRA, is committed to working with other ATU member states to advance telecommunications as a driver of Africa’s long-term development goals.”
The African Telecommunications Union is a specialised agency of the African Union (AU) mandated to promote the development and harmonisation of information and communication technologies (ICTs) across the continent.
Malawi’s ratification also aligns with the country’s broader digital transformation agenda under Malawi Vision 2063, which prioritises ICT as a catalyst for economic diversification, innovation, and inclusive growth.
