By Yamikani Sabola

Mzuzu, November 28, Mana: Deputy Director of Technology and Standards for Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA), Nicholas Kanyenda says the Authority has developed regulations empowering it to block entry of all substandard electronic gadgets into the country.

Kanyenda was speaking during an awareness meeting with journalists and other stakeholders in Mzuzu on Thursday.

He said the guidelines, which are being called Type Approval Regulations, are expected to come into effect on December 1, 2024.

Kanyenda said the regulations are aimed at ensuring that consumers in the country are buying electronic devices including information communication technology (ICT) equipment that is safe to use and that derives value for money.   

“ICT is one of the fastest growing industries in the world with the emergence of several technologies and innovations.

“These technologies and innovations that are coming into play are also coming in with various challenges and one of the challenges they come with is substandard and counterfeit electronic equipment and gadgets,” Kanyenda said.

He said the Authority observes with regret that a lot of electronic equipment entering the country through various borders are not meeting international standards.

“These substandard products pose a huge threat to the economy and safety of the people in the country. Consumers of ICT services have a right to be protected from dangerous products.

“It is in light of this that the authority has developed these Type Approval Regulations to ensure that all ICT equipment that is used in the country is of applicable and accepted standards,” he said.

He said once Type Approval Regulations come into force, all certified ICT equipment including phones, laptops and tablets will bear a sticker from MACRA.  

One of the participants, Alexander Mhango from Radio Dinosaur hailed the regulations, as they would give MACRA powers to assess the quality and safety of electronic equipment before they can be sold in the country.

“This will give confidence to the people of Malawi that whatever devices they are using are of good quality, are safe and can perform the intended task,” Mhango said.

He said the regulations were long overdue, noting that some ICT equipment sold in the country is substandard and many people have lost money through buying defective equipment.