By Taonga Sabola:
Airtel Malawi on Tuesday clocked 25 years of doing business in Malawi.
The company, which started its operations in Malawi as Celtel before it became Zain and then Airtel, got its initial licence on February 5, 1999.
While celebrating the 25 years milestone, the firm also got its operating licence renewed by the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (Macra) for the next 10 years.
Airtel Malawi Managing Director Charles Kamoto said, over the past two decades, the firm has played a pivotal role in shaping and enhancing the telecommunications landscape, making substantial contributions to the socio-economic development of the country.
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He described the 25-year journey as that of growth, innovation and impact for Airtel Malawi and the nation at large.
“Since 2014, we have made significant contributions to the development of the telecoms sector and the economy of Malawi. We have paid over K59.4 billion to Macra for levies, fees and spectrum, and over K17.6 billion in international interconnect levies.
“We have invested over $176 million in network infrastructure delivering over 1,100 sites with 2G, 3G and 4G services, expanding our coverage to 88.2 percent of the country and serving 86.7 percent of the population. We have also created self-employment opportunities through our distribution network of 28,000 SIM selling and 115,000 airtime/recharge selling outlets,” Kamoto said.
He observed that the company has connected over 7 million customers to its network, with 2.6 million of them using data services.
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“We have increased smartphone penetration to 29.1 percent, enabling more Malawians to access the digital world. We have also rolled out home broadband and fixed data solutions, offering fast and reliable internet connectivity to homes and businesses,” Kamoto said.
He added that the firm also made history by listing on the Malawi Stock Exchange in 2020, with the biggest Initial Public Offer ever in the country where 20 percent of its shares were offered to Malawians.
“We have, since 2016, also paid over K69 billion in corporate tax, supporting the government’s revenue collection efforts,” he said.
Looking ahead to the next 10 years, Kamoto said the firm’s primary objective remains to continue to deepen penetration of the digital inclusion agenda by investing in the latest technology and infrastructure to ensure that the network is affordable, reliable, and accessible to all.
Macra Board Chairperson Bridgett Chibwana said Airtel Malawi’s presence in the Malawi market is not only a testament to their confidence in the local economy but also underscores their position as one of the leading mobile phone operators in Africa.
Chibwana said Airtel’s innovative services, coupled with a customer-centric approach, have earned the company the trust and loyalty of millions of Malawians who confidently subscribe to different services that the mobile network offers.
“As we look into the future, we are confident that the renewed partnership between Macra and Airtel Malawi plc will further drive digital transformation, foster inclusive growth and enhance the quality of life for all Malawians,” Chibwana said.
