Daud Suleman
Daud Elvin Suleman is a Malawian information and communications technology professional who served as the Director General of the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA). Born on December 3, 1979, he took the MACRA role in October 2021 after a competitive recruitment. Before that, he worked in technology and finance, focusing on ICT policy, fintech, and systems innovation.
As MACRA’s head, Suleman led digital transformation efforts in Malawi, pushed to expand internet access and digital literacy, and helped modernize the telecommunications sector. He oversaw the shift from physical airtime and data scratch cards to electronic top-ups. He advocated for digital rights and online safety, noting Malawi’s ICT laws needed updating and urging collaboration among regulators, schools, and civil society to protect young users online.
In 2024, Suleman was named to the International Telecommunication Union Digital Innovation Board, representing Malawi. His work drew recognition from the GSMA and the International Institute of Communications as a leading voice on digital transformation. He also promoted revenue‑assurance systems at MACRA to improve transparency in telecom levies.
Suleman faced several allegations during his tenure, including a potential conflict of interest related to transmitter installation tied to his private media interests, procurement irregularities involving his official vehicle, and staff grievances about management actions following anonymous disclosures. In September 2025, amid the election period, MACRA faced criticism for actions regarding live broadcasts of unofficial election results dashboards. In October 2025, Suleman was suspended as MACRA’s director general pending government investigations, along with actions affecting other parastatals. Some commentators questioned the legality of the suspensions, noting that parastatal boards had been dissolved.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 10:39 (CET).