Grace Ashiru
The Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) has announced plans to commence a nationwide SIM card registration exercise in November 2025. This initiative forms part of a national campaign aimed at strengthening digital security and combating mobile-related fraud.
In preparation for the rollout, MACRA has launched a comprehensive public awareness campaign across the southern region of the country. The outreach team has already held community roadshows in several districts, including Neno, Mwanza, Blantyre, Nsanje, Chikwawa, Balaka, Thyolo, Mulanje, Phalombe, Chiradzulu, Zomba, and Machinga. These events are designed to educate citizens about the upcoming registration process and its significance.
According to MACRA, the new registration initiative seeks to clean up mobile operators’ databases by ensuring that every SIM card in Malawi is accurately verified and linked to a valid national identity. The registration process will involve the use of national identification cards, facial recognition, and fingerprint verification to authenticate user identities. Each person will be allowed to register a maximum of five SIM cards, a measure intended to enhance accountability and curb the misuse of multiple phone numbers.
The regulator explained that this move is part of its broader digital governance and consumer protection strategy, aimed at addressing mobile money scams, identity theft, and other forms of cybercrime that are increasingly affecting Malawi’s telecommunications sector.
MACRA has urged all mobile subscribers to get ready for the registration period by ensuring they possess valid national IDs and to take part in the process once it begins in November. After the registration deadline, any unregistered SIM cards will be deactivated, disconnecting unverified users from network access.
Through this exercise, MACRA aims to foster trust, transparency, and security within Malawi’s mobile communication landscape, ensuring that the country’s digital economy continues to develop in a safe and well-regulated environment.
