GSMA: 80% of Malawians remain offline despite mobile coverage

Details: Manny Pham; Category: Regulation; 20 August 2026; 401 views

Around 80% of Malawians live within mobile broadband coverage but do not use mobile internet, highlighting a major usage gap that could be worth MWK 1.1 trillion (US$637 million) to the economy by 2030, according to the GSMA.

The telecoms trade body said closing the gap could also create around 490,000 jobs by 2030, as greater mobile internet adoption expands access to education, financial services and digital public services.

The findings come from the GSMA's latest report, Driving Digital Transformation of the Economy in Malawi, which highlights the barriers preventing wider adoption.

Malawi has made progress on network coverage, with 4G reaching 87% of the population in 2025. However, unique mobile internet penetration remains at just 12.5%, while smartphone adoption stands at 33%.

The GSMA identified device affordability, limited digital skills, foreign exchange shortages and high energy costs as key barriers to adoption.

It estimates that Malawi could add 810,000 mobile internet users by 2030, reaching around 5 million users, while increasing 4G coverage to 99%.

The organisation called for measures including lower taxes on mobile services and entry-level smartphones, stronger Universal Service Fund mechanisms, improved investment conditions and expanded digital skills programmes.

GSMA Africa senior director for public policy Caroline Mbugua said the focus now needs to shift from expanding coverage to encouraging meaningful use.

"With 80% of the population still offline despite network coverage, the priority now must be turning access into meaningful use," she said.