Digital Africa Summit to Spotlight Malawi’s Digital Transformation

LILONGWE, Malawi — Malawi’s digital transformation agenda will come under the spotlight next week as policymakers, regulators, telecommunications companies and other private-sector stakeholders meet in Lilongwe for the Digital Africa Summit Malawi, writes Winston Mwale.

The summit, organised by GSMA Africa, will take place Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026, at Mvuu Hall, Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC), bringing together key government and industry leaders to discuss policy reforms, digital infrastructure, investment, connectivity and inclusion.

The event is being held as part of the Regulatory Collaboration Summit and is intended to provide a platform for stakeholders to align on priorities for Malawi’s digital economy and identify measures that can unlock greater investment and accelerate digital ecosystem development.

The Digital Africa Summit series focuses on some of the continent’s most pressing digital challenges and opportunities, including infrastructure investment, policy innovation, artificial intelligence, connectivity and digital inclusion.

A central feature of the Malawi summit will be the launch and presentation of a report titled “Driving Digital Transformation of the Economy in Malawi.”

The report will examine Malawi’s digital landscape and provide policy recommendations intended to support the development of the country’s digital economy.

Caroline Mbugua, GSMA Senior Director for Public Policy and Communications, will present the report’s key findings, followed by a presentation on policy recommendations by Bienvenu Comlan Agbokponto Soglo, GSMA Spectrum Director for Sub-Saharan Africa.

The report will then be officially unveiled before a high-level panel discussion on collaboration between government, regulators and industry to mobilise investment and accelerate development of Malawi’s digital ecosystem.

The discussions are expected to examine how regulatory and policy environments can support technology investment while expanding access to digital services.

The summit will bring together senior government officials and leaders from Malawi’s telecommunications sector.

Minister of Information and Communications Technology Shadric Namalomba is scheduled to deliver a ministerial address on “Unlocking the Social and Economic Impact of Technology in the Malawi Economy.”

Minister of Finance, Economic Affairs and Decentralisation Joseph Mwanamvekha will address “Fiscal Innovation for Digital Expansion: Funding Infrastructure and Trade for Malawi’s Socio-Economic Growth.”

Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology Harold Msusa is also scheduled to deliver a keynote address on policy reforms to drive internet adoption in Malawi.

The programme will also feature remarks from MACRA Director General Mayamiko Nkoloma on “Regulating the Future: Enabling Technology Evolution through an Enabling Regulatory Environment.”

Nkoloma, who was appointed MACRA director general in early 2024, is described in the media kit as a key figure in Malawi’s modern regulatory environment and the country’s digitalisation agenda.

The summit will also provide an opportunity for telecommunications companies to contribute to discussions on the future of Malawi’s digital economy.

Airtel Malawi Managing Director Aashish Dutt and TNM Chief Technical Officer Lloyd Gowera are among the industry leaders scheduled to participate in the programme.

Dutt is described as an experienced telecommunications executive who has played a role in maintaining Airtel’s position in Malawi’s mobile and data sectors, while Gowera has been involved in network modernisation and broadband expansion through his role at TNM.

The two are expected to join government and regulatory representatives for the panel discussion examining ways to mobilise investment and accelerate digital ecosystem development.

Ahead of the main programme, the summit will host a 60-minute media roundtable from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.

The session will bring together key stakeholders including MACRA Director General Nkoloma, Airtel Malawi Managing Director Dutt, TNM CTO Gowera and GSMA Senior Director for Public Policy and Communications Mbugua.

The media engagement is expected to provide an opportunity to discuss the country’s digital priorities and the policy and investment issues shaping Malawi’s technology sector.

The summit comes at a time when digital connectivity and technology are increasingly central to economic and social development.

According to the event organisers, the broader Digital Africa Summit series is designed to bring together policymakers, private-sector leaders and other stakeholders to establish priorities that can shape Africa’s digital future.

For Malawi, the discussions will focus specifically on creating an enabling environment for digital investment, expanding connectivity and unlocking the economic and social benefits of technology.

The programme will conclude with summit reflections and closing remarks before a networking lunch.

The event is scheduled to run from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Mvuu Hall, BICC, in Lilongwe.

The summit is expected to provide a platform for government, regulators and industry to move beyond discussions about connectivity and consider practical policy, regulatory and investment measures capable of accelerating Malawi’s digital transformation.