Category: National

* The mid-year budget review is an opportunity for Malawi to reset its fiscal direction, especially at a time when the economy is grappling with high inflation, rising debt-service obligations, exchange-rate volatility, and persistent structural bottlenecks * Malawi needs a realistic fiscal path that reins in expenditure overruns, strengthens revenue performance, protects vulnerable households, and unlocks private-sector-led growth By Duncan Mlanjira As Minister of Finance, Joseph Mwanamveka prepares to present the 2025 Mid-Year Budget Statement to Parliament on November…

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* NOCMA’s mandate is to hold fuel reserves for the country, but since July 2024, the reserves have been empty due to forex challenges * The fuel that the country has been purchasing recently goes directly to the fuel pumps to feed the nation — thus our reserves currently have no fuel * As NOCMA urges Energy Minister to engage with Mozambican authorities to ease operational delays at the port of Beira, where fuel vessels often wait for several…

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* Expected to be completed by February 2026 to help mitigate blackouts by injecting stored energy into the national grid * As first phase of EGENCO’s solar power plant construction at Nanjoka in Salima is expected to be completed by December this year to generate 10 megawatts By Sheminah Nkhoma & Fostina Mkandawire, MANA Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM) has begun constructing a 20 megawatts (MW) battery energy storage system (BESS), which is expected to be completed by…

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* Imposing a blanket export ban without parallel investment in domestic processing capacity and logistics infrastructure could have unintended economic consequences * The idea of banning raw mineral exports aligns with the long-term vision of achieving domestic beneficiation and industrial transformation, which is perfect for Malawi * However, without adequate infrastructure— such as power, transport, and processing facilities — the policy could inadvertently stifle sector growth, reduce foreign exchange earnings, and discourage private investment By Duncan Mlanjira While the…

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Tedzani III Unit 5 still offline * Remains with shortfall of 31MW due to the ongoing outage of Tedzani 111 Unit 5 hydro power generating machine * EGENCO awaiting engineers from Austrian company, Original Equipment Manufacturer to repair the unit later this month By Duncan Mlanjira  Less than 24 hours since it announced loss of 51 megawatts (MW) of hydro power was off the national grid due to ongoing repair works to machines, Electricity Generation Company (EGENCO) says it…

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* His directives on official travel and administrative restructuring are a bold step towards restoring fiscal discipline and strengthening accountability in public service * President Mutharika’s leadership is sending a powerful signal that government business must be guided by discipline, efficiency, and respect for public resources By Duncan Mlanjira President Peter Mutharika has commended by South Africa’s Don Consultancy Group (DCG) Chief Economist, Chifipa Mhango “for the decisive and disciplined manner in which he is constituting his new administration…

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* The challenge has resulted mainly from logistical disruptions along the main supply routes through Tanzania * Government understands the inconvenience this situation has caused to citizens and businesses By Duncan Mlanjira Minister of Ministry of Information & Communications Technology, Shadric Namalomba says government is fully aware of the fuel shortages currently being experienced across the country and assures the public that decisive action has already been taken to normalise the situation. In a statement issued this morning, Namalomba…

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Tedzani hydro plant * Austrian company’s engineers are expected to arrive in the country after mobilising materials to repair Tedzani III Unit 5 (31MW), has been offline since December 2024 due to burnt generator stator windings * Nkula B Unit 5 (20MW) failed to start upon restoration after replacement of turbine shaft seal which commenced on Friday, October 31 and completed last evening By Duncan Mlanjira Energy Generation Company (EGENCO) says it is experiencing some challenges in hydro power…

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