MACRA engages Helios Towers and ICTAM
Date: 2026-01-13
By: Nana Appiah Acquaye
The
Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) has held an engagement
meeting with Helios Towers and the ICT Association of Malawi (ICTAM) at its
Chichiri Head Offices in Blantyre, aimed at strengthening collaboration to
improve connectivity and service delivery within the country’s
telecommunications sector.
During
the meeting, Helios Towers Managing Director, Amani Keenja, accompanied by
members of his leadership team, briefed MACRA’s Acting Director General,
Mayamiko Nkoloma, on the company’s ongoing and future plans to support mobile
network operators, including new market entrants, through the provision of
tower infrastructure. Keenja highlighted Helios Towers’ significant growth
since 2022, noting that the company currently operates 896 towers nationwide
and is targeting the deployment of more than 1,000 towers by the end of 2026.
Nkoloma
described Helios Towers as a key partner in efforts to enhance quality of
service across the telecommunications industry. He acknowledged the role of
shared infrastructure in expanding network coverage and pledged MACRA’s support
in engaging relevant authorities to address foreign exchange challenges that
have impacted the importation of materials required for tower construction.
The
engagement also featured contributions from ICTAM President, Clarence Gama, who
outlined the association’s priorities for the year. These include supporting
the development of Malawi’s National Artificial Intelligence Policy,
contributing to new ICT policies and procedures, and promoting broader digital
transformation across sectors.
In
his remarks, the Acting Director General encouraged ICTAM to further strengthen
its advocacy role, particularly in championing quality service delivery within
the ICT sector. He stressed the importance of collaboration among regulators,
industry players and professional bodies in tackling emerging challenges,
including the growing incidence of mobile money fraud.
