Vendors protests in Lilongwe from the streets to Parliament yesterday
* Where will the government source the US dollars for second-hand clothes traders, given the current forex shortage?
* How does this plan align with the Reserve Bank’s statement that Malawi has insufficient foreign currency reserves?
* Why prioritise second-hand clothes traders over essential sectors like agriculture and manufacturing that could create jobs and boost the economy?
Analysis by Chepetsani Kazembe
The streets of Malawi have once again echoed with the voices of frustration as vendors from Lilongwe, driven by unbearable economic hardship, took their grievances straight to Parliament.
The skyrocketing prices of essential goods and services have left many Malawians in despair, struggling to survive in an economy that seems to be crumbling with each passing day.
These protestors, desperate and angry, sought real solutions from the government — only to be met with responses that raise more questions than they answer.
The Minister of Trade & Industry, Sosten Gwengwe, instead of addressing the root causes of the crisis, issued threats to revoke the business licenses of shops that increase their prices.
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But is this a solution, or just another attempt to shift the blame? A legal precedent was already set in the case between Bakers Pride, Kingmeal and the government, where the court ruled that businesses have the right to adjust prices based on market forces. The Minister’s statement, therefore, contradicts the law and threatens to further damage investor confidence in a fragile economy.
Additionally, Minister of Finance & Economic Affairs, Simplex Chithyola Banda, acknowledged the economic hardships but failed to offer any clear roadmap to recovery. He spoke of government efforts to control inflation and stabilise the currency, yet Malawians continue to suffer, waiting for relief that never comes.
His reassurances feel hollow, as previous government promises have yet to bear any meaningful results.
Public alert
Where is Malawi heading economically?
Malawi’s economic downfall is not accidental; it is a result of long-standing structural weaknesses — an unstable Kwacha, poor fiscal management and a heavy dependence on imports.
The government’s failure to stabilise the currency has caused prices to skyrocket, pushing citizens into deeper poverty. Yet, instead of providing sustainable economic solutions, Minister of Local Government, Unity & Culture, Richard Chimwendo Banda has made yet another baffling promise: providing US dollars to second-hand clothes traders to help them sustain their businesses.
Chimwendo Banda (left) and Information Minister Kunkuyu going to meet the vendors yesterday
But this is nothing short of a lie. The same government, through the Reserve Bank of Malawi, has repeatedly admitted that the country is facing a dire shortage of foreign exchange.
Where, then, will these US dollars come from? If forex were available, shouldn’t it be used for essential imports like medicine, fuel and agricultural inputs? This contradiction exposes the government’s lack of seriousness in addressing the real economic problems Malawians face.
Critical questions the government must answer:
* Where will the government source the US dollars for second-hand clothes traders, given the current forex shortage?
* How does this plan align with the Reserve Bank’s statement that Malawi has insufficient foreign currency reserves?
* Why prioritise second-hand clothes traders over essential sectors like agriculture and manufacturing that could create jobs and boost the economy?
* What measures are in place to ensure that forex allocation is fair and does not fuel corruption?
* Is the government aware of the contradictions in its policies and the impact of these inconsistencies on investor confidence?
* Does the government have a real, long-term plan to stabilise the economy, or are we stuck with short-term, unsustainable solutions?
A dangerous precedent — protestors storming Parliament
Even more alarming is the timing of these protests — just a day before the President’s scheduled session in Parliament to answer questions from the legislators.
This is not a coincidence — it is a sign that Malawians have reached their breaking point. Yesterday’s demonstrations were localised in Lilongwe, but what happens if they escalate into nationwide protests?
If economic frustrations push citizens to take their grievances directly to Parliament in mass numbers, it signals a deep loss of trust in the government’s ability to fix the crisis. If ignored, such demonstrations could escalate into full-blown national unrest, leading to instability that Malawi cannot afford.
A call for real solutions
Malawians do not need threats — they do not need empty promises; they need real solutions, and they need them now. Thus the government must:
* develop a concrete strategy to stabilise the Kwacha;
* implement policies that promote local production and reduce dependency on imports;
* address corruption and inefficiencies in forex allocation;
* stop threatening businesses and instead create an environment that fosters private sector growth; and
* restore confidence in investors and economic stakeholders by ensuring consistent and fair trade policies.
Malawi is on the edge — the suffering of its people is real, and patience is running out. If the government does not take immediate, meaningful action, it risks plunging the country into even greater turmoil.
The time for deception and rhetoric is over. The people demand — and deserve — real leadership. Now more than ever, Malawi needs action, not empty words.
* Chepetsani Kazembe is a bonafide Malawian, writing in his personal capacity as a concerned citizen
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