The Malawi Government has officially commissioned a new telecommunications tower in Kalira Village, Traditional Authority Kalumbu, in a move aimed at extending mobile and internet connectivity to rural communities. The initiative forms part of broader efforts to bridge the digital divide and bring underserved areas of the country into the national telecommunications network
The facility was delivered under the government’s Last Mile Rural Connectivity Project, which seeks to bring reliable telecommunications services to communities that have historically experienced limited or no network coverage. The Kalira installation represents the 36th tower completed under the initiative.
Covering an estimated 10-square-kilometre area, the new tower is expected to improve access to mobile communication, internet services and mobile money. Schools, healthcare facilities and businesses within the community are also expected to benefit from improved connectivity.
Minister of Information and Communications Technology Shadric Namalomba said the project would help narrow Malawi’s digital divide. He also stressed the need for more affordable smartphones so that more citizens can benefit from the country’s expanding telecommunications infrastructure.
As part of the broader rural connectivity programme, the government plans to construct an additional 99 telecommunications towers, with the overall target expected to be achieved by June 2027.
The project forms part of Malawi’s wider digitalisation efforts, including initiatives aimed at improving access to digital public services under President Peter Mutharika’s administration.
For residents of Kalira, the new tower is expected to significantly improve everyday connectivity, reducing the need to travel or seek elevated locations for network signals while creating greater opportunities in education, healthcare, communication and digital commerce.
