Malawi’s government has once again demonstrated that accountability and transparency are nothing more than empty rhetoric, as it shamelessly continues to delay the implementation of the lifestyle audit manual—a tool that could expose corruption within its ranks. This deliberate stalling is not about legal technicalities or the need for amendments to the Corrupt Practices Act (CPA), as officials would have Malawians believe. Instead, it is a carefully calculated move to shield high-ranking politicians and public officers from scrutiny, allowing them to continue looting taxpayer money without consequences. The lifestyle audit manual, finalized by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) and submitted to the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) in February 2024, was meant to bring a new level of financial transparency to those in power. But just when Malawians thought the government was ready to hold public officials accountable, the Cabinet swiftly buried the document in bureaucratic red tape. First,...

Blantyre is set to host one of the most anticipated business gatherings of the year, as Business in Detail Magazine gears up for the Blantyre Business Expo on February 21, 2025, at Crossroads Hotel. The event promises to be a premier platform for business networking, investment opportunities, and entrepreneurial success. According to Kenphord Mdima, a senior member of Business in Detail Magazine, preparations for the expo are in full swing. “We are excited to bring together top Malawian business leaders, lawyers, and entrepreneurs to share insights on how to succeed in business,” Mdima said. The event will feature a business talk and awards presentation, with renowned speaker Haroon Sacraine delivering a keynote address on “Youth Leadership in Business: Developing Entrepreneurial Mindsets.” Other key topics include investment opportunities for youth, business networking, and the current business environment in Malawi. The Blantyre Business Expo will also provide a showcasing platform for Small...

Parliament has confirmed receiving a petition from Citizens for Justice and Equity, a group seeking to revive the controversial Presidential Age Limit Bill, which has twice failed to pass in the National Assembly. Mwenye The group plans to submit the Bill as a Private Member’s Bill on February 26, 2025, in an attempt to amend Section 80(6)(b) of the Constitution and introduce an upper age limit of 80 years for presidential candidates. Agape Khombe, a key figure in the group, revealed that they have already written Speaker of the National Assembly Catherine Gotani Hara, notifying her of their intentions. He dismissed claims that the Bill was politically motivated, arguing that Malawi’s current electoral laws were inconsistent by allowing 18-year-olds to vote while restricting presidential eligibility to those aged 35 and above. “Malawi Electoral Commission [MEC] is yet to start receiving nominations for the presidency, so it is wrong to claim...

The Center for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) has made explosive allegations implicating cabinet ministers, government officials, and banks in fueling black market forex trading, but has failed to provide any tangible evidence to support the claims. Namiwa Speaking at a press briefing in Lilongwe, CDEDI Executive Director Sylvester Namiwa accused unnamed individuals of obtaining foreign currency from banks that he claims have “captured the economy” and redirecting it to the parallel market. “According to our findings, this trend is contributing to the further weakening of the local currency against the US dollar, as the latter is being traded without any backing,” Namiwa stated. He went on to allege that his organization has names of those involved in the illicit trade. As an example, he claimed that a certain minister applied for $450,000 from a commercial bank but instead sold the money to a Malawian businessperson of Asian origin...

The Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) has exposed what it describes as a high-level forex scandal, alleging that senior government officials, Cabinet ministers, and ruling party elites are illegally profiting from the country’s forex crisis at the expense of struggling Malawians. Namiwa–T According to CDEDI Executive Director Sylvester Namiwa, investigations have uncovered a criminal syndicate operating within government and the financial sector, where powerful individuals are exploiting the forex shortage by diverting US dollars from the formal banking system to the black market. “Cabinet ministers, top government officials, and their cronies have captured the economy and turned the forex crisis into a business empire,” Namiwa said. “They are siphoning forex meant for businesses and selling it at black market rates, leaving ordinary Malawians to suffer under skyrocketing prices of goods and services.” One of the most shocking findings from CDEDI’s investigation involves a senior Cabinet minister and...

Vice President Dr. Michael Usi has commended the Zomba District Council for its innovative and transformative public reforms, particularly its ventures into the hospitality industry and renewable energy. During a meeting with the council on Wednesday, Dr. Usi praised the local authority for its forward-thinking initiatives, which align with the government’s broader reform agenda. Usi: Impressed with reforms in Zomba Dr. Usi expressed his admiration for the council’s significant investments in hospitality and tourism, including the construction of a lodge in the city and the establishment of a biogas site at Thondwe Market to promote renewable energy. He noted that these projects are not only boosting local economic growth but also positioning Zomba as a hub for sustainable development. “It is exciting to see the council making such huge strides in areas like hospitality and renewable energy. These initiatives are a testament to what can be achieved when local authorities think...

Senior officials of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) are working tirelessly to restore order at the venue of the party’s primary elections to select parliamentary and councilor candidates for the upcoming elections in the Mchinji South constituency. Reliable sources have revealed that after the vote counting process, one of the vote counters stepped outside and announced to supporters of a particular candidate that their preferred candidate had won the parliamentary primary. This announcement sparked chaos and commotion at the venue. Six candidates are vying for the parliamentary seat, including Lita Langa, Thokozani Gezile Msiska, Joyce Banda, Mapitiro Chibisa, John Paul, and Lawrence Kanyemba. Meanwhile, the race for the councilor position in Boma Ward has attracted four candidates: Dan Kachikoti, Lawrence Chikhasu, James Ganya, and Yonas Mtanga. In Msechembe Ward, the councilor race is contested by Yohane Mwale, Esnart Chitawo Lungu, and Dennis Lazaro. The MCP leadership is now focused on...

The Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has embarked on an environmental conservation initiative, underscoring the role of sports in addressing broader societal challenges. The exercise, led by FAM President Fleetwood Haiya, involved the Malawi National Women’s Football Team planting trees along a bypass road from Chinyonga Township to Masauko Chipembere Highway in Blantyre. Haiya’s call for football stakeholders to take an active role in environmental conservation signals a shift in how sports organizations view their responsibility beyond the pitch. He emphasized that football, as a community-driven sport, thrives in environments that need to be protected and sustained. “Football is played by players who live in communities where trees are vital for our well-being. While the Scorchers are camping for their games against Zambia, we saw it fit to contribute to nature conservation,” Haiya stated. He further highlighted that this was not a one-time effort, recalling that FAM had also planted...

As part of its commitment to environmental sustainability, National Bank of Malawi (NBM) plc in partnership with Chibwana Youth Organisation have planted 2,000 trees at Muonekera Mountain in Ntcheu. Inkosi Gomani (middle) leading the tree planting exercise The development comes barely days after National Bank donated K7.5 million to the youth organisation to facilitate the reforestation drive on the mountain. The funds were allocated to purchasing tree seedlings and providing protective gear for the youths involved in the project. Speaking during the tree planting activity on Saturday, Inkosi Ya Makosi Gomani V, patron of Chibwana Youth Organisation, praised NBM plc for its generous support. He emphasized that the contribution will help the organization achieve its goal of expanding reforestation efforts on the mountain. “This funding is a game-changer for our project. We have already made significant strides, and this contribution will help us accelerate our efforts. The commitment of the National...

Communities in Traditional Authorities (T/A) Chamba and Ntonda in Mangochi district have commended the Titukulane Resilience Food Security Activity for constructing new and rehabilitating existing, but dysfunctional boreholes in the two areas. VH Chiyambeni drawing water from the borehole constructed with funding from USAID through Titukulane Activity–Photos by Watipaso Mzungu With financial support from the United States Aid for International Development (USAID), consortium of six non-governmental organizations comprising Care International in Malawi, WaterAid Malawi, Emmanuel International, the National Smallholder Farmers Association of Malawi (NASFAM), International Food and Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and Save The Children International (SCI) has been implementing the activity in Mangochi and Zomba districts. The ultimate goal of the activity was to increase coverage of safe drinking water in communities with below basic access through targeted rehabilitation and construction of water supply infrastructure. Village Head (VH) Chiyambeni, who is under T/A Ntonda, speaking to journalists on tour of the project sites...