Central Region Stakeholders Consulted on Proposed Data Protection Registration Fees
On 15 July 2026, the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA), in its role as the designated Data Protection Authority (DPA), engaged stakeholders in the Central Region at Sunbird Capital Hotel in Lilongwe to gather views on the proposed registration fees for Data Controllers and Data Processors of Significant Importance.
Speaking during the consultation, MACRA Head of Data Protection, Counsel Daniel Chiwoni, said the engagement was intended to ensure that stakeholders’ views are taken into account before the registration fees are introduced.
“We are not here just to rubber-stamp the process. We believe that consultations ensure that regulations and guidelines are reflective of the current communications landscape,” he said.
Stakeholders welcomed the consultation and commended the Authority for creating an open platform for engagement. However, they also called for greater transparency regarding the proposed fee structure. Airtel Malawi Director of Legal and Regulatory Affairs, Christopher Nkhonjera Chibwana, said the meeting was informative and well organised, but noted that many participants would appreciate a more detailed explanation of how the proposed fees were determined and why annual turnover was selected as the basis for charging. He said this would enable stakeholders to provide more meaningful and informed feedback.
The consultation brought together representatives from the private sector and other key institutions to contribute to the development of a fair, transparent, and effective data protection regulatory framework. The stakeholder engagements form part of the Authority’s commitment to ensuring that the proposed registration fees and supporting regulations are informed by broad public participation before implementation.