FDH Bank Plc first to provide a commercial bank on Likoma Island

Minister of Finance & Economic Affairs, Simplex Chithyola Banda commissioning the service centre * This FDH Bank Plc service centre is aimed at breaking financial barriers for the people of Likoma * It was initially shocking to hear of the financial accessibility challenges that the people at Likoma are facing By Duncan Mlanjira FDH Bank Plc has taken an extra mile in its provision of financial service which is present in every district in the country, by extending its…

Read More

Shipping concessions on Lake Malawi hung in the balance

* Shipping was previously operated by Malawi Lake Services while the ports were operated by the Marine Department * The two entities are being operated by Malawi Shipping Company and Malawi Ports Company respectively — both being Mota-Engil subsidiaries * The two concessions have not been a success compared to what was anticipated at the inception By Denis Mzembe Doubts surround the future of two concessions signed between the Malawi Government and Mota-Engil regarding shipping and ports on Lake…

Read More

Boundary dispute disrupts Kasungu National Park fence project

* For a long time, communities in the area have been cultivating in the land gazetted to the national park * We don’t intend to see people fighting with elephants on daily basis because of the absence of the fence * But our efforts to solve this problem are being halted by community resistance By Wanangwa Tembo, MANA Misunderstandings between the Department of National Parks & Wildlife and communities in Traditional Authority (TA) Chulu in Kasungu over Kasungu National…

Read More

Apex of CSOs in environment conservation, CURE condemns escalating barbaric attacks on forest rangers

* They play an important role in their dedication to protecting our precious natural resources including wildlife * Often putting themselves in harm’s way to ensure the preservation of our environment and biodiversity By Duncan Mlanjira Coordination Union for the Rehabilitation of the Environment (CURE) — the apex membership organization that coordinates a network of 34 national civil society organizations (CSOs) in environment and natural resources management sector in Malawi, vehemently condemns escalating brutal attacks on the frontline of…

Read More

Posted in Law Enforcement, National, News, Tourism Comments Off on Apex of CSOs in environment conservation, CURE condemns escalating barbaric attacks on forest rangers
Community members demand revision of National Parks and Wildlife Act

* When wild animals destroy people’s fields or when they kill a person, there is nothing done to compensate them * But when a person kills a wild animal, they are given jail sentences as long as 30 years * People are not committed in wildlife conservation efforts as they feel oppressed by the very system they are supposed to protect By George Mponda, MANA Community members from areas surrounding Nyika National Park and Vwaza Marsh Game Reserve have…

Read More

Malawi should embrace fellow African countries’ tourism updates for they are the key of origin for international travellers—Chief Economist Chifipa Mhango

* One of the key challenges that affects proper planning and drafting of informed policies in most African countries is data availability * And in the case where such data is available, it is often outdated by three to five years * Malawi tourism contributes an estimated 7.7% to the GDP, which received 431,999 international visitors in 2021 * Compared to 198,905 international visitors in 2020 representing 117.2% increase By Duncan Mlanjira South Africa-based Don Consultancy Group Chief Economist,…

Read More

Posted in Business, National, News, Tourism Comments Off on Malawi should embrace fellow African countries’ tourism updates for they are the key of origin for international travellers—Chief Economist Chifipa Mhango
Chakwera used 2021 tourism data in his 2024 SONA; Tourism Ministry currently compiling data for 2022-2023

* We must aim at getting to level of monthly data gathering on tourism and migration like other countries—expert * Malawi’s tourism reports are generated annually in collaboration with NSO and Immigration Department—Tourism Ministry Analysis by Duncan Mlanjira President Lazarus Chakwera used 2022 tourism data in his 2024 State of the Nation Address (SONA) that was presented in Parliament yesterday, in which he indicated that international arrivals have increased by about 64% from 2021, reaching approximately 708,000 in 2022….

Read More

Posted in Business, National, News, Tourism Comments Off on Chakwera used 2021 tourism data in his 2024 SONA; Tourism Ministry currently compiling data for 2022-2023
How to transform the tourism or holiday makers landscape—a tip from Chief Economist Chifi Mhango

* Today’s tourist or holiday makers are different from us By Duncan Mlanjira As we celebrate Christmas and the advent of the New Year, people go on holiday travels — which in essence their contribution to local tourism. Chief Economist Chifi Mhango for Don Consultancy Group in South Africa offers his thoughts on how to transform the tourism or holiday makers landscape. He say: “Today’s tourist or holiday makers are different from us — questions they will ask you…

Read More

Posted in Entertainment, National, News, Tourism Comments Off on How to transform the tourism or holiday makers landscape—a tip from Chief Economist Chifi Mhango
The huge outcry over state of degradation of Michiru Nature Sanctuary has finally been heard

* As Tourism Minister Vera Kamtukule visits the forestry department-administered mountain * We have used the law but things have not changed and it means something is missing — and that is community engagement By Duncan Mlanjira, Maravi Express & Chilungamo Missi, MANA The huge outcry over the state of degradation of Michiru Nature Sanctuary — from environmental preservation organisations such as Wildlife & Environmental Society of Malawi (WESM), concerned passionate mountain hikers and even the Roman Catholic Church…

Read More

Suspension of flights by SAA has economic implications for Malawi—Chief Economist Chifipa Mhango

* We do understand the position SAA has taken under the challenges Malawi is facing economically as outlined in forex challenges among others * However, we have other airlines operating into Malawi despite the same economic environment * Malawi Government should engage the SAA management on the matter urgently and assure the Airline on how the Malawi economy will be stabilized, with time frames By Duncan Mlanjira Malawi needs South African Airways (SAA) and so does the airline need Malawi, says Chief…

Read More

Posted in Business, News, Tourism Comments Off on Suspension of flights by SAA has economic implications for Malawi—Chief Economist Chifipa Mhango