Macra wants corrupt-free licensing processes

Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (Macra) has said its recently launched fraud and anti-corruption policy is crucial to ensuring that there is no undue influence in the issuing of licences to operators in the information communication technology (ICT) sector.

Speaking on Friday during the Communications Regulators’ Association of Southern Africa (Crasa) annual general meeting in Lilongwe, Macra chairperson Martha Kwataine also said the authority is making efforts to prevent exploitation of consumers of ICT services in the country.

“Considering the complexities in the processes of issuing various ICT licences, procurement of goods, hiring of personnel and financial management, Macra developed a policy on fraud and anti-corruption which was launched recently.

“We hope that through the policy, Macra stakeholders will be making informed decisions in respect of their behaviour while conducting Macra business,” said Kwataine.

She also said the cost of not being connected to ICT is becoming greater as it is widening the digital and knowledge gap in countries.

“Economic ICT platforms extend from the financial sector where millions of people in our region are now accessing banking facilities for the first time through their phones,” said Kwataine