By Chisomo Phiri
The Governments of Malawi and Zambia have on Thursday signed an optic fibre Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which seeks to enhance internet connectivity and reduce data prices between the two countries.
Speaking during the signing ceremony in Lilongwe , Minister of Information and Digitalization Moses Kunkuyu said digitalisation is key to transformation of the two nations and the MoU has come at the right time.
He was upbeat the agreement will open more doors and avenues for deeper collaboration in achieving full digitalisation for Lusaka and Lilongwe.
On his part, minister of Science and Technology for Zambia Felix Mutati said the agreement signifies cheap data prices thereby minimizing the gap between the rich and the poor.
“We are digitally alert and we are breaking new ground,” he said.
Mutat added that through the MoU, the people of the two nations will be sharing opportunities through affordable internet which will also reduce the cost of doing business.
Malawi Communications regulatory authority (MACRA) Director General Daud Suleman said the MOU is a significant step in reduced data prices.
He noted Malawi is one of the most data priced countries hence the partnership will pave way for the one network initiative to drop roaming charges for citizens of the two countries thereby creating a more sustainable digital market.
During the event, a commercial agreement between state owned Electricity supply cooperation of Malawi (ESCOM) and Zambia’s FibreCom was signed enabling ESCOM purchase internet connectivity capacity at a friendlier cost which will bring down connectivity costs in Malawi.
ESCOM’s Chief Executive officer Kamkwamba Kumwenda spoke of the company’s readiness to provide reliable internet within Malawi through its fiber broadband services.
A representative from Fibercom said the utility is duly licenced to undertake the activity which will foster economic transformation in driving the digital transformation agenda of the two states.
The discussions to sign the optic fibre agreement started some two years ago.
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