TNM’s Acquisition of OCL Data Centre: A Game Changer for Malawi’s Digital Economy

Key Business Points

• TNM has acquired OCL data centre for K12 billion, signaling major private investment in Malawi’s digital infrastructure. Local businesses should prepare to leverage faster, locally hosted services.
• The facility will host AI platforms locally, giving Malawian entrepreneurs early access to artificial intelligence tools without relying on overseas servers.
• TNM plans to expand services to Blantyre and beyond, creating opportunities for IT firms and digital startups to partner with the telecom operator.

By Pemphero Malimba

TNM plc has completed its K12 billion takeover of Open Connect Limited’s data centre at Kanengo in Lilongwe, following shareholder approval at the company’s annual general meeting. The acquisition marks a significant step in Malawi’s push to build local digital infrastructure.

TNM CEO Michel Hebert led the official handover on Thursday. He described the facility as a hub where computing power connects to systems worldwide, enabling the company to deliver digital services directly to Malawian businesses and entrepreneurs. "From here we can provide any digital service to any Malawian business, any Malawian entrepreneur and Malawians themselves," he said.

The data centre will allow TNM to host artificial intelligence platforms and software locally. Hebert noted that the company is already a pioneer in AI services within Malawi, with South Africa ahead in the region but TNM leading at home. AI software installation at the Kanengo facility is scheduled for next year, and the infrastructure is expected to improve speed for mobile and online platforms used daily by Malawians.

TNM Chief Technical Officer Lloyd Gowera explained that the centre includes powerful processing units and storage space, far larger than the company’s previous facility in Area 9, Lilongwe. He said the equipment would support internal products like Mpamba and Ndikankhe, which use AI to assess customer usage and determine loan amounts. "It’s really Malawians who own this data centre. It’s for everyone here," Gowera said.

The facility also mirrors the centre TNM operates in Limbe, Blantyre, ensuring reliable service delivery across regions. This expansion strengthens Malawi’s digital backbone, offering local companies a chance to host applications and content closer to users rather than depending on foreign data servers.

For business owners, the takeover means improved access to faster digital platforms and locally hosted AI tools, which can reduce costs and boost productivity. Entrepreneurs should consider how digital services can grow their operations and support chitukuko cha malonda online. The move also signals confidence from Malawi’s largest mobile network operator in the country’s digital future, making Kanengo a strategic location for IT investment.

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