MALAWI: MACRA Suspends Biometric SIM Card Registration Rollout

By Smile Hamilton Malawi

The Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) has suspended the planned rollout of biometric SIM card registration, which was scheduled to begin on July 1 and run until September 2025.

According to Kelious Mlenga, MACRA Deputy Director of Legal responsible for Consumer Affairs, the suspension follows a request from the Association of Telecommunications Operators (ATO). ATO asked for more time to ensure they are both financially and technically prepared for the implementation of the new system. As a result, MACRA has granted an eight-month extension to address the identified challenges.

Mlenga further stated that the Ministry of Information has not yet promulgated the SIM card Registration Regulations. These regulations are crucial as they will provide the legal framework necessary to enforce the new registration requirements.

Meanwhile, the President of the ICT Association of Malawi (ICTAM), Clerence Gama, has urged mobile network operators to utilize the extension period effectively. Gama emphasized that the biometric registration is a vital step in combating the increasing cases of mobile money fraud, which continue to affect many Malawians.

Under the new system, individuals will be allowed to register up to 10 SIM cards, while institutions can register up to 30. MACRA says this measure aims to strengthen consumer protection and reduce the misuse of SIM cards in illegal activities such as fraud and cybercrime.

The biometric registration initiative was expected to improve national security and enhance trust in digital financial services. However, some stakeholders had raised concerns about privacy, data security, and the readiness of both the operators and consumers to transition to the new system.

MACRA has assured the public that it remains committed to implementing secure and transparent measures to protect consumers while ensuring that operators have sufficient time and resources to comply.

The authority is expected to announce a new implementation timeline after consultations with all stakeholders, including mobile service providers and civil society organizations.