Category: National

Chifipa Mhango * Malawi’s second largest item on imports is vehicles, at US$362 million in 2025 alone while fertilizer is at $297 million and plastic at US$191 million * An economic analysis by Chifi Mhango, Chief Economist and Executive Director-Don Consultancy Group 1. Introduction Malawi’s economic challenges are frequently discussed in terms of foreign exchange shortages, inflation, public debt, unemployment and slow economic growth. However, there is another fundamental question that deserves greater national attention: ‘How much of the…

Read More

* Economic analysis and policy recommendations by Chifi Mhango, Chief Economist and Executive Director-Don Consultancy Group 1. Introduction Malawi’s inflation trajectory presents a mixed economic picture, reflecting encouraging progress in headline inflation alongside persistent structural pressures that continue to undermine economic stability. Headline inflation declined from 28.7% in September 2025 to reaching 19.4% in September 2026 (down from August 2026 reading of 20%), largely supported by a significant moderation in food inflation. However, beneath this improvement lies a concerning…

Read More

Chifipa Mhango * Malawi has spent decades measuring how much its economy produces, imports and exports * However, we have not placed sufficient emphasis on understanding how much domestic value our economic activities generate * And how much income ultimately accrues to Malawian residents. This is an important missing dimension in our economic transformation debate—Chief Economist Chifi Mhango By Duncan Mlanjira Malawi needs to rethink how it measures economic progress by moving beyond traditional indicators of Growth Domestic Product…

Read More

* Mining has enormous potential to transform our economy, but without the appropriate governance structures, transparency and national economic interests at the centre of policy, we risk becoming a country rich in mineral resources but poor in economic benefits By Duncan Mlanjira Chief Economist, Chifipa Mhango, contends that “the time has come for Malawi to undertake a comprehensive overhaul of its mining sector’s institutional, regulatory, operational and financing environment”. Mhango, who regularly comments on the country’s economic governance, highlights…

Read More

* The 1989 law no longer provides an adequate legal framework for refugee protection. * The new framework addresses an emerging humanitarian, human rights and security issue without distorting the legal definition of a refugee * Recommendations include refugees enjoying freedom of expression, association & conscience, education, non-discrimination, travel documents and community integration By Frank Humphreys, Malawi News Agency (MANA) & Duncan Mlanjira, Maravi Express Human rights activist Edward Kambanje has welcomed the Special Law Commission’s proposals to replace…

Read More