MACRA Orders Airtel, TNM to Compensate Customers Over Tariff Hike
Published on July 17, 2026 at 2:47 PM by Edgar Naitha
The Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) has ordered Airtel Malawi Plc and Telekom Networks Malawi (TNM) Plc to compensate customers after the two mobile network operators implemented revised telecommunications tariffs without complying with the statutory notice requirements.
In a statement signed by MACRA Director General Dr. Mayamiko Nkoloma, the regulator said although it had approved the tariff adjustments, the operators failed to fully comply with Section 76 of the Communications Act, 2016, which requires approved tariffs to be published in at least two daily newspapers seven days before they take effect.
According to MACRA, customers who were affected by the revised tariffs between June 26 and July 2, 2026, will receive call or internet bundle credits equivalent to the difference between the old and new prices.
The regulator has directed Airtel Malawi and TNM to complete the compensation exercise by July 31, 2026, and submit evidence that all affected customers have been compensated.
MACRA has also instructed the two operators to strengthen their internal compliance procedures to ensure future tariff adjustments fully comply with the Communications Act.
The regulator said it will closely monitor the implementation of the directive to ensure customers receive the required compensation.
