Fast Networks Malawi has completed a sweeping rural connectivity rollout that is providing internet access to some of the country’s most underserved regions.
Using Starlink as a high-speed backhaul, the initiative has brought affordable internet to 67 schools and dozens of clinics and community spaces that previously had no reliable digital access.
Due to difficult terrain and weak infrastructure, rural Malawi has long struggled with limited connectivity. Many schools and health facilities operated entirely offline.
Over a six-month period, Fast Networks Malawi – working with partners that include the Internet Society, Unconnected.org, World Mobile, 48.org, the Ministry of Education, Xulendo, and Inethi South Africa – created a mesh network that extended internet coverage well beyond the reach of each Starlink terminal.
In addition to the 67 connected schools, 20 rural community WiFi hotspots have been created meaning connectivity was also extended to nearby clinics, trading centres, and unconnected schools, forming a broader digital ecosystem in regions that had long been offline.
To make access affordable, Fast Networks Malawi introduced low-cost community WiFi vouchers. Revenue from voucher sales is used to subsidise each school’s Starlink subscription, significantly reducing operational costs and ensuring sustainability of the project.
The connectivity boost has already reshaped learning in rural schools. Students now access digital materials, teachers retrieve updated syllabi and online resources, and many schools have launched digital literacy lessons for the first time.
Health clinics are also using the connection to access digital medical resources, while trading centres report increased commercial activity driven by mobile banking and business communication.
Despite its success, the rollout faced challenges, including the shortage of affordable devices, low digital literacy, inflation-driven maintenance costs, and the complexities of managing remote networks. Fast Networks Malawi credits strong community involvement for helping to overcome these obstacles.
Leaders of the project believe the long-term impact will be far-reaching. The improved connectivity is already strengthening rural education, supporting local businesses, and expanding access to critical services. With its voucher-funded subsidy model, it’s hoped the network will remain financially viable for years to come.
“Rural communities that were once offline are now digitally active. This model is proving that sustainable, community-driven connectivity is possible, even in the hardest-to-reach places.” said Barros Atupele Mweso, Co-Founder of Fast Networks Malawi.
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