Tag Archives: Kamuzu International Airport (KIA)

Airtel Malawi excites travellers with refurbished shop at Kamuzu International Airport

….Total 42 shops earmarked for upgrades across Malawi…

….All shops to be upgraded with modern ambience, wood accents, bold red panels and backlit signature Airtel logo

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Airtel Malawi has officially opened its newly refurbished customer service shop at Kamuzu International Airport (KIA), marking the first completed outlet under the company’s nationwide shop refurbishment program.

The initiative aims to modernize all 42 Airtel shops across the country to enhance customer experience and support Malawi’s growing digital needs.

Speaking during the launch, Airtel Malawi Managing Director Aashish Dutt highlighted the company’s commitment to delivering world-class service environments that match the technological advancements Airtel continues to roll out across the country.

“As we invest in strengthening our network capacity and expanding coverage, it is equally important that the physical spaces where we meet and serve our customers reflect the same level of progress,” he said.

“Our shops are more than service points, they are essential hubs that support our customers, our Airtel Money agents, our dealers, and our franchise partners.”

The KIA shop holds particular significance as an entry and exit point for both local and international travelers.

The refurbished outlet is designed to meet the diverse needs of customers passing through the airport.

“For international travelers arriving in Malawi, this shop provides quick and convenient connectivity support, whether they need to activate roaming, purchase a local SIM, set up an eSIM, or get assistance with device settings.

“For Malawians returning home, it offers instant reconnection through SIM reactivation, Airtel Money support, device upgrades, and data bundles,” Dutt added.

The shop also remains a critical service point for Airtel Money agents, dealers, and franchise partners who rely on it for float restocking, SIM replacements, and operational support.

The refreshed space features a modern interior with natural wooden accents, a dedicated device display area, and a striking backlit 3D Airtel logo.

The exterior showcases bold red panels and the signature Airtel identity, making the shop instantly recognizable to travelers.

Local customer Mr Khomanato Manda, who attended the launch, expressed his excitement about the new look and convenience.

“This is exactly what we need at the airport. Where I can quickly sort out my communication needs, and access Airtel Money float makes a huge difference. The new shop feels modern, convenient, and very welcoming,” he said.

Airtel Malawi plans to unveil additional refurbished shops across the country in the coming weeks as part of its commitment to delivering exceptional customer experiences.

Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Airtel Malawi’s Customer Experience Director, Michael Mang’anda, led guests and members of the media on a guided tour of the new facility.

Malawi Police arrest Nigerian woman Nchekubechukwa for forex externalisation

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Malawi Police Service (MPS) at the Kamuzu International Airport (KIA) in the capital Lilongwe is keeping in custody a Nigerian woman for allegedly externalising money amounting to US$48,000 using fake documents from Victoria Forex Bureau.

National Police Public Relations Officer (PRO) Peter Kalaya has identified the suspect as Anne Nchekubechukwa who was arrested on Wednesday, August 16, 2023, at KIA during an operation that the department of fiscal police is currently conducting.

Kalaya further revealed that during the exercise the police managed to arrest another foreigner for being found with US$17000 without proper documents.

The arrest comes barely two months after five Malawian women were also arrested upon arrival from Dubia for forex externalization.

Embarrassing; Leaking Malawi airport’ KIA ceiling causes havoc

leaked airport

 

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The Rainwater gushed through the ceiling inside the Kamuzu International Airport (KIA) building  in the capital Lilongwe on Friday following torrential rainfall.
But despite causing havoc among passengers, the embarrassment no flight operations were affected.
Passengers claimed they were drenched by the rain water and many of them had to move away with their luggage.
An eye witness, a passenger who was departing from the airport told The Maravi Post that  the development occurred at about 1:20pm after heavy rain, accompanied by an hour-long windstorm, saw the roof of the airport building to leak like sieve.
The airport was being flooded at the time passengers headed for South African were boarding, while others travelling to Kenya and Ethiopia were checking in.
Photos of flooding in the airport circulated on social media platforms which showed  passengers going through a flooded walkway to their flights.
It took airport staff nearly an hour to take out the rainwater and mop the affected areas in the building
dry.

Nigerian business man and two Malawian women arrested for possession of illegal, dangerous drugs

Nigerian man with two malawians women

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)- The Malawi Police at Kamuzu International Airport (KIA), apprehended a Nigerian business man and two Malawians women, for illegal possession and importation of the dangerous drug called Ethdrin.

The three are identified as Nigerian Christian Osigwelen, 43, and Malawians Lusungu Mlenga, 39, and Rita Juma aged 33, were arrested this week at the airport.

According to KIA Police Publicist Sapulain Chitonde, his office received a tip from Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) officers, who work in the Arrivals hall that they suspected that Lusungu was collecting a table they suspected to have the concealed drug.

After being approached by the Police, the suspect Lusungu claimed to have been sent by someone by the name of Grace from a phone call on her way from Sierra Leon, where she went on her business trip saying the table was lost.

Chitonde added that on August 8, this year Mlenga failed to collect the table, as she had no lost baggage claim form, and came again on the following day.

And she said the table was to be given to Rita Juma, who happened to be her friend; and was in the car park at that time.

Police report that the money she had for the MRA (US$2,000) USD and other Malawi Kwacha over MK700,000.00, was given to her by Christian Osigwelen, who was also in the car park waiting for her.

Mlenga told the Police that was only called by unknown person calling herself Grace, to collect the table from the Airport, which was missing and that $2,000.00 USD plus the Malawi Kwacha over MK700,000.00 was given to her by Christian Osigwelen, who said should clear the table from MRA and not knowing what the table was carrying.

While Rita Juma, who openly said is Christian’s girlfriend of over 6 years, said she was called by Christian her boyfriend to collect $1,000.00 USD from his friend in town and give it to him at the Airport without telling her the use of the said money and that’s what she did.

On the other hand, Christian accepts the statements by the two women’s, but denied to be the owner of the table with the drug although he gave Lusungu the money to clear the table with the MRA.

“MRA Officers who handled the matter revealed to the Police that Mlenga tried to bribe them with the said amount, taking advantage that they were all women and saying women needs to be helping each other, not arresting each other; and said if they (MRA Officers) feel that they need more money she could go and get some from Christian,” the Police said.

Police searched the table and found packets of an unknown powder and they later breached one of the packets to see the powder and it’s when they knew it was dangerous drug called Ethdrin. The Police are yet to finalize interrogating the three as to where the drug was coming from and among the three, who owns it,” said Chitonde.

The three suspects are currently custody in separate cells, waiting to appear before court to answer charges of illegal possession and importation of a dangerous drug that is contrary to Section 11 (a) of Regulation 19 of Dangerous Drug Act.

Meanwhile Police at KIA thanks the MRA officers for being professional when discharging their duties, and collaborating with Police in tipping them about the three and detaining them until Police arrived at the scene.

Gambian arrested for Thailand’s seized ivory

Ivory Poachers
the ivory in question is equivalent to over 200 elephants

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)– Malawi Police at Lilongwe Kamuzu International Airport (KIA) on Wednesday, arrested a thirty-four year Gambian man for allegedly being connected to the seized 330 kilogram of ivory in Thailand in March this year.

The suspect Mady Conteh is also the seventh person to be arrested in connection with the matter as he was also on the Interpol Red Notice List for crimes against the environment.

According to sources privy to insistence, the ivory in question is equivalent to over 200 elephants. The suspect had been shipping the ivory on an Ethiopian Airways flight from KIA, Lilongwe, via Addis Ababa to Bangkok and was later arrested by Thai authorities as he went to collect the packages. Continue reading Gambian arrested for Thailand’s seized ivory

Nigerian business man arrested at Kamuzu Airport for attempting to externalize US$7,000

Egemonye Christian Chinedu: arrested at KIA for attempting to externalize US$7,000 (MK5 million)

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The Malawi Police at Kamuzu International Airport (KIA), in the capital Lilongwe, on Monday afternoon arrested a 43-year old Nigerian national for attempting to externalize US$7,000 (MK5 million), which was hidden in his hand luggage.

KIA Spokesperson Sapulain Chitonde, identified the suspect as Egemonye Christian Chinedu, holder of a Nigerian Passport number A05010761.

Chinedu was apprehended inside the Departures Lounge at around 13:00 hours, as he waited to board a Nigerian-bound Kenyan Airways flight.

Chitonde told The Maravi Post that the suspect was physically searched by Police Officers manning the check point, and the said amount of US$7,000, was discovered.

The KIA Spokesperson said the Nigerian failed to provide evidence from authorized Forex dealers, when he was asked to show supporting documents.

“To his defence, Chinedu said he got the money in Tete Mozambique, where he operates a clothing shop. He claimed that unspecified officers at the border (Mozambique, Malawi), told him not to worry about the cash. He said the advice made him to overlook the paperwork process, because it implied that there would be no problem to travel out with it.

“Currently, the suspect is in Police custody, and is expected to appear in court, to answer charges of illegal possession of foreign currency, and attempting to externalize forex. The police at KIA are appealing to the general public, to buy or exchange money, at designated foreign exchange facilities, to avoid similar incidents,” urges Chitonde said.

The suspect Chinedu hails from Nnewi in Lagos, Nigeria, but has been in Tete, Mozambique, for the past three years.

Asian businessman on custodial charge for attempting to externalize forex

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost) –  The Lilongwe Magistrates Court has on Wednesday put a Malawian businessman of Indian origin, Iqbar Sodagar Moinuddian Mohmad on custodial charge for attempting to externalize foreign currency.

an Indian man arrested for attempting to externalize foreign currency

The court has however set January 11, 2017 as the day the suspect will be formally charged with three counts, namely; illegal possession of foreign currency, attempting to externalize forex and money laundering.

This means that Mohmad will remain in police custody till next week when the state is expected to charge him. Continue reading Asian businessman on custodial charge for attempting to externalize forex