Malawi is in talks with Swedish telecoms group Ericsson over a potential partnership focused on digital training and expanding rural internet access, officials said after discussions at this year’s Mobile World Congress.
Malawi’s Minister of Information and Digitalization, Shadric Namalomba, met representatives of the telecoms equipment maker in Barcelona during the March 2–5 industry gathering to explore cooperation in emerging technologies, including 5G networks, advanced ICT systems and artificial intelligence.
The discussions form part of Lilongwe’s broader push to modernise its digital infrastructure and equip young people with technical skills aligned with global market demand.
“Our priority is to build local capacity that supports innovation, entrepreneurship and participation in the digital economy,” Namalomba said, according to a statement released after the meeting.
Focus on skills and infrastructure
Central to the talks was the creation of structured training programmes in next-generation telecommunications. Officials said potential areas of collaboration include 5G deployment skills, network management, cybersecurity and AI applications tailored to public services and private sector needs.
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Malawi, one of southern Africa’s smaller economies, has identified digital transformation as a key lever for growth, job creation and improved public service delivery. However, limited connectivity and a shortage of specialised ICT skills remain major constraints.
Participants at the Barcelona meeting also discussed strategies to expand network coverage in rural and underserved areas, where internet access remains sparse. Options under consideration include energy-efficient base stations and lower-cost deployment models aimed at reducing capital expenditure while maintaining service quality.
Such measures are viewed as critical in a country where large segments of the population live in rural communities and where electricity access is uneven. Expanding affordable connectivity is seen as essential to narrowing the digital divide and enabling broader economic participation.
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Connectivity gaps
According to the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Malawi scored 0.1886 out of 1 on the Telecommunication Infrastructure Index in 2024, reflecting limited broadband penetration and network reach. The index assesses internet, mobile and fibre infrastructure as well as access to digital services.
Data from DataReportal indicates that internet penetration in Malawi stood at around 18 percent at the end of 2025, underscoring the scale of the challenge facing policymakers.
By contrast, global telecom operators are accelerating the rollout of 5G and digital services in more advanced markets, widening the technological gap between high- and low-income countries. Malawian authorities say targeted partnerships with global industry leaders could help close that gap more quickly.
Broader digital strategy
The engagement with Ericsson is part of a wider strategy by the Malawian government to strengthen its digital ecosystem. Officials have identified skills development as a cornerstone of that effort, arguing that infrastructure expansion must be matched by human capital development to deliver sustainable gains.
Training programmes under discussion would aim to prepare students, engineers and ICT professionals to manage and maintain modern telecom networks, while also fostering local innovation and technology-driven enterprises.
Analysts say such initiatives could improve Malawi’s competitiveness and attract foreign investment in technology-enabled sectors, provided they are backed by regulatory reforms and sustained funding.
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No formal agreement has yet been signed between the two parties, and both sides indicated that discussions remain at an exploratory stage.
If concluded, a partnership could mark a significant step in Malawi’s efforts to bridge its digital divide, expand rural connectivity and prepare its workforce for participation in an increasingly technology-driven global economy.
