‘Mwanamveka’s Mid-Year Budget review shows progress but highlights deep structural risks’

Minister of Finance, Economic Planning & Decentralisation presenting the Mid-Year Budget review yesterday * Malawi faces significant fiscal pressures, but the Mid-Year Budget review demonstrates a new level of transparency and practical adjustment * If the government sustains revenue reforms, strengthens expenditure controls, and improves project execution, it can gradually stabilise the economy and rebuild fiscal space * The road ahead requires discipline, coordination, and a commitment to structural reform—DCG Chief Economist Chifipa Mhango By Duncan Mlanjira The 2025/26…

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Retiring Standard Bank Board director pledges to build pre-school in Mchinji from her K10m retirement benefits

* I have been privileged to serve on the Board and witness the bank’s commitment to Malawi’s development * During our tenure, Standard Bank recorded tremendous growth in both numbers and national impact By Duncan Mlanjira Retired Standard Bank Board director, Catherine Mtonda has pledged to build an early childhood school at her home village Mwandawala-Nowa in Mchinji, using K10 million from her retirement benefits. Speaking when Standard Bank handed over her retirement benefits, Mtonga  indicated that the contribution…

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Government introduces several levies as part of revenue enhancement measures

* The MCP government left behind an economy characterised by unsustainable debt, chronic fiscal deficits, depleted foreign exchange reserves, and a loss of investor confidence * Furthermore, public finances were in disarray, revenues were stagnant, and key sectors were neglected * The kwacha had sharply depreciated against major trading foreign currencies and inflation had eroded household incomes By Duncan Mlanjira The Mid-Year National Budget review which Minister of Finance, Economic Planning & Decentralisation, Joseph Mwanamvekha presented in Parliament today,…

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Standard Bank’s Joy of the Arts making tremendous progress in transforming Malawi’s arts and culture

* We are into our second full year of the Joy of the Arts program to demonstrate that this initiative is about creating a uniting platform * Where Malawian artists connect, learn, and inspire the next generation while also making a living Maravi Express Standard Bank has rolled out a K25 million sponsorship package for the University of Malawi (UNIMA) Theatre Festival weekend in Zomba and a further K12 million for the Malawi Music Business Summit in Lilongwe as…

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DCG applauds Malawi’s 2025/26 Mid-Year Budget review as a necessary reset toward stability, confidence and growth

* Describing it as a realistic, corrective, and confidence-building policy intervention that places Malawi on a firmer path toward macroeconomic stability and renewed growth * For the first time in several years, we see a budget review that openly acknowledges the structural failures of the past while proposing actionable and measurable solutions By Duncan Mlanjira The Chief Economist for South Africa’s Don Consultancy Group (DCG), Chifipa Mhango has welcomed the 2025/26 Mid-Year Budget review which was delivered by Minister…

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Mid-Year National Budget review restructures from K150,000 to K170,000 per month to cushion low-income earners

* 25% tax bracket has been abolished, with 30% now applying to incomes between K170,100 and K1.57 million * 35% applying from K1.57 million to K10 million, and a new 40% rate introduced for incomes above K10 million * Mobile money transaction limits also revised — increasing daily transaction and cash-out ceilings from K750,000 to K5 million * As government rolls out stringent expenditure and operational reforms aimed at restoring fiscal discipline and strengthening the efficiency of public institutions…

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Land property developers ordered to seek ESCOM’s approval ahead of any construction or excavation works near its vital infrastructure

* This follows loss of power supply that affected most parts of Limbe Central Business District (CBD) and surrounding areas of Blantyre City on Wednesday * Which was caused by the unplanned collapse of two 11kV power lines due to the impact of unauthorised excavation works at a private construction site behind Limbe ESCOM offices By Duncan Mlanjira Building contractors, property developers and the general public is being asked to first consult Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM) before…

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CDH Investment Bank contributes two fronts towards NPL Mothers health initiative; sleepover challenge and K10m investment

Kwatiwani (right) hands over the funds to Nation on Sunday Editor, Emmanuel Luciano * Chief Human Capital Development Officer, Ivy Kwatiwani spent a night at Santhe Health Care Clinic on October 10 * It was a huge eye opener for her on the challenges that expectant mothers face in remote rural health care settings * She appreciated firsthand the need to support investment in our health care systems, particularly for maternal and neonatal health * Santhe Clinic had no…

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‘Africa’s infrastructure financing opportunities demand strategic risk navigation, with a critical role for G20 summit’

* Africa’s long-term growth trajectory will be determined by the continent’s ability to close its infrastructure gap * Estimated at US$130 billion to US$170 billion annually, with a funding shortfall of up to US$108 billion—DCG’s Director of Project Finance, Loyiso Jiya By Duncan Mlanjira As South Africa and the continent as a whole is set to host the Group of Twenty (G20) Johannesburg 2025 summit from November 22-23; for the first time in its history, Don Consultancy Group (DCG)…

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Malawi Law Society raises reg flags on proposed acquisition of a hotel by Public Service Pension Trust Fund

* Calls for an immediate suspension of this transaction pending a full and transparent review * That includes urgent and independent investigation by the ACB, Minister of Finance and the Attorney General By Duncan Mlanjira As part of its statutory mandate under section 64(d) of the Legal Education and Legal Practitioners Act; ‘to protect matters of public interest touching, ancillary or incidental to law’, the Malawi Law Society (MLS) has called on relevant oversight authorities for an immediate suspension…

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