Lilongwe: TECHz Magazine – News Desk
Telekom Networks Malawi Plc (TNM) has officially acquired Open Connect Limited’s (OCL) Tier 3 data centre located in Kanengo, Lilongwe. The K12 billion ($6.9 million) transaction received full shareholder backing and allows TNM to integrate the Kanengo facility with its existing data centre in Limbe, establishing a unified and robust cloud infrastructure across the country.
The consolidation is engineered to enhance network efficiency, drive down long-term operational costs, and secure TNM’s capacity to meet Malawi’s escalating demand for reliable connectivity. The newly unified infrastructure equips TNM to host advanced enterprise solutions and local artificial intelligence platforms directly within Malawi’s borders under a Data Centre as a Service (DCaaS) model.
TNM Board Chairperson Ted Sauti Phiri highlighted that taking control of OCL’s associated infrastructure will streamline service delivery and fortify the company’s long-term digital foundations. Furthermore, this multi-million dollar investment directly supports the Malawi 2063 agenda, which is focused on transforming the nation into a digitally enabled middle-income economy.
Speaking at the official handover ceremony, TNM Chief Executive Officer Michel Hebert emphasized the facility’s broader economic potential. By interconnecting the Lilongwe and Limbe sites, TNM aims to dramatically improve digital connectivity and open up high-tier hosting opportunities for local businesses, entrepreneurs, and individual innovators.
Prior to finalization, the takeover bid underwent standard regulatory review by the Competition and Fair Trading Commission to ensure a balanced telecommunications sector. Capital market analysts have largely welcomed the acquisition as a sound growth strategy, noting that expanding TNM’s infrastructure base and data capacity reinforces its long-term earnings outlook and competitive edge.
