Citizens of Malawi have taken to social media demonstrating for a reduction of data prices and data billing systems from Local service providers.
Due to the rise of confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the country internet has been on a high demand as companies, schools and other institutions are proving services online. The fall in data costs will encourage people to stay at home to work, get entertained and informed on the internet preventing the spread of the virus.
The campaign hashtags (#ReduceDataCost, #DataMustFall) are currently trending on Twitter Malawi with people posting complaints of how they are never satisfied with the cost of data bundles and the use of data through airtime.
Malawi has the highest cost of mobile data with an average of $27.41 per 1GB.
Well known public figures have also taken part in the campaign. Gospel hip hop artist Gwamba posted “Access to the internet is no longer a luxury, it’s a necessity.”
Other well-known figures that posted about the campaign are national team football player Gerald Phiri Jr, wife to the vice President of Malawi Mary Chilima, Award winning video director Sukez, Mikozi network founder Ekcess and music artists Phyzix, Zani Challe, Namadigo, Lulu, Seven O more, Vube.