April 16th, 2016

Malawi High Commissioner to UK Kena Mphonda welcomes new CTO MAP programme

LONDON, 15 APRIL 2016 – His Excellency Kena Mphonda, Malawi’s High Commissioner to UK has welcomed plans by the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO) for the Southern African member country.

“I was pleasantly surprised to see so much improvements by the CTO and I can see that Malawi will benefit significantly from the plans I have seen.” said His Excellency Mphonda.

His Excellency Mphonda made the remarks today during his visit to the CTO’s headquarters in London where he met with Secretary-General Shola Taylor. During his visit, Mr Mphonda was given a presentation on the new Member Action Plan (MAP) programme and specific actions for Malawi.

“I was delighted to meet with His Excellency Mphonda. We exchanged views on how the CTO can best work with key stakeholders in Malawi and ways through which the High Commission could assist.”said Mr Taylor.

His Excellency Kena Mphonda (left) and Secretary-General Shola Taylor, 15 April 2016, London

Action areas for member country Malawi are wide ranging and include:

  • Support the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority in promoting a legal and regulatory environment that is responsive to new and rapid changes in the global ICT industry;
  • Provide assistance in facilitating stakeholder engagement on regulatory issues, including licensing, spectrum, numbering, roaming, over-the-top service providers, standards, quality of service, compliance monitoring and user identification);
  • Provide advice on implementation of strategies for universal service throughout Malawi;
  • Assisting Malawi to develop its national cybersecurity strategy; and
  • Support Malawi in its preparation for the forthcoming World Telecommunications Standardisation Assembly to take place ion 25 October to 3 November 2016.

In addition, the two officials discussed the forthcoming Commonwealth ICT Ministers Forum to take place in June, as well as the Commonwealth ICT and Industry Awards through which Malawi government initiatives and its private sector’s could gain international recognition, and Mr Taylor also outlined plans to support Malawi’s presence at the forthcoming ITU Telecom World 2016 on 14 – 17 November 2016 in Bangkok, Thailand.

Malawi officials regularly take part in the CTO’s conference programme which provide regular platforms for collaboration and knowledge sharing.

For more information, contact CTO Membership Division at communications@cto.int or +44 20 8600 3800