Bengolnet Limited, a local ICT and internet service provider, plans to buy Malawi Telecommunications Limited (MTL) as part of harnessing idle infrastructure and boosting internet connectivity, in partnership with the government.
Bengolnet’s Managing Director, Mohammed Zafar Abdullah, said they also seek support in securing frequency allocation from MACRA and tax waivers for related projects.
Abdullah revealed this on Monday in Blantyre after the Parliamentary Committee on Media, Information, and Communications visited their offices to appreciate their contribution to the Malawi Digital Project, which is funded by the World Bank.
He then called for the committee’s assistance in addressing challenges hindering its investment efforts to reduce internet costs and bridge the digital divide between rural and urban communities in the country.
Susan Dossi, Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Media, Information, and Communications, acknowledged that the committee has taken note of Bengolnet Limited’s efforts to make internet access more affordable and its future plans.
“On the issue of buying MTL, this is the first time we have heard about the matter. We will discuss how to go about it,” said Dossi.
At the moment, the company has connected fibre optic cables in 18 districts and connected internet in government offices and some schools.
Bengolnet Limited’s financial investments include fibre optic cable installation worth $1.5 million, a prior investment of $12 million, an offer to acquire MTL for MWK 8.5 billion (approximately $10 million USD), and plans to rehabilitate MTL with a budget of $51 million.
