AGP Executive Report

Fuel Crisis: Local fuel hauliers have parked their tankers, saying importers have revived a court-rejected system that lets suppliers choose transporters and sidelines Malawian firms. Protests over fuel, forex shortages and blackouts are planned nationwide for November 17, with Mulanje residents also demanding medicine and clearer fertiliser plans. MCP Divisions: Party members have petitioned Lazarus Chakwera to call an emergency convention, challenging his authority and disputing party rules and election fees. Rural Finance: MAIIC’s K42 billion facility aims to help more than 600,000 rural businesses access loans, with commercial bank rates capped at 15 percent annually. Tax Probe: Former MP Ulemu Chilapondwa has been arrested over an alleged K884.6 million VAT claim linked to government electrification contracts; he has not been convicted. Temwa Chawinga: The Malawi star and six other Malawians have been nominated for the 50 Most Influential African Women in Sports awards, while First Lady Gertrude Mutharika is urging support for Chawinga’s BBC award bid.

MCP Power Struggle: Party members have petitioned Lazarus Chakwera to call an emergency convention, arguing his mandate has expired and threatening court action if party leaders do not act. Temwa Chawinga: Malawi’s football star is shortlisted for the BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year award, with First Lady Gertrude Mutharika urging Malawians to vote; Chawinga is also in the running for a third straight NWSL MVP award. Education: Government has launched a five-year investment plan as public university selections rise to 20,000, up from 11,000 last year. Education leaders warn that access must translate into stronger learning and job-ready skills. Hunger: An MP says families in Kasungu West are going to bed hungry and some are surviving on mangoes; government says it will prioritise immediate food needs. Debt and Economy: Malawi’s external debt reached US$4.048 billion in 2025, more than double its level a decade ago. Local Services: Zomba residents in Naisi say roadworks have left them without reliable water for a month, while the water board says repairs depend on the contractor relocating affected supply lines.

Rural Finance: MAIIC has launched a K42 billion facility expected to benefit more than 600,000 rural businesses, with bank contributions set to raise available lending to at least K100 billion. Public Accountability: MEDF has dismissed 23 staff over alleged loan irregularities, while K21.3 billion intended for youth and women borrowers remains undistributed. The government has shortlisted seven candidates to lead the ACB, vacant since 2024. Economic Strain: Malawi’s external debt has topped US$4 billion, more than double its 2015 level; industrial output also fell 12.1 percent in the first quarter. Fuel Distribution: MERA suspended Mount Meru’s Chinsapo station over allegations it withheld petrol for selected customers. AFCON Qualifiers: The Flames are in Cairo preparing to face Egypt on November 13, before hosting the return match at Bingu Stadium on November 17. Football: Malawi star Temwa Chawinga is nominated for a third consecutive NWSL MVP award after scoring 12 goals this season.

Fuel Crisis: MERA suspended Mount Meru’s Chinsapo station, alleging it withheld 1,000 litres of petrol for favoured customers. The regulator is also offering up to K1.5 million for reports that lead to the recovery of fuel traded illegally. Civil Society: Seven organisations are challenging NGORA’s deregistration of 36 NGOs, citing alleged procedural and legal flaws and calling for the decision to be reversed. Border Security: Immigration says it arrested more than 1,000 foreign nationals, deported 223 and rejected 1,752 visa applications between October 2025 and October 2026. Health: A new study reports that 97% of pregnant women deliver in health facilities and more than 90% of under-fives receive recommended vaccinations. AFCON Qualifiers: New Egypt coach Ali Maher has named his squad for two matches against Malawi on November 13 and 17; Mohamed El-Shenawy and Mohamed Salah are included. Development Finance: Export Development Fund has appointed former Malawi Posts Corporation chief Zachaeus Meke as managing director.

Economic Strain: Fuel shortages continue to disrupt daily life as borrowing costs rise; commercial reference rates reached 22.7%, while Maiic-backed schemes aim to offer cheaper credit to rural businesses. Food Security: Malawi recorded the strongest staple-yield growth among 13 countries in a new analysis, yet undernourishment rose 61%. Acute food insecurity affected 1.9 million people in 2026 and is projected to reach 2.6 million during the lean season. Diplomacy: Former Kuwait ambassador Younous Abdul Karim has returned after a court lifted the injunction blocking his recall. Health: New HIV infections fell 76%, from 60,000 in 2010 to 14,000 in 2025; officials aim to reduce them to 6,000 by 2030. Politics: MCP activists demanded Secretary General Richard Chimwendo Banda’s resignation, and one speaker threatened him, exposing deepening party tensions. Football: Egypt’s new coach, Ali Maher, named Mohamed Salah in his squad for two AFCON qualifiers against Malawi, beginning in Cairo on November 13, with the return in Lilongwe on November 17.

AFCON Qualifiers: Malawi’s Flames face Egypt on November 13 and 17 in a crucial 2027 AFCON qualifying double-header. Egypt have appointed Ali Maher after sacking Hossam Hassan, and Maher has named his first squad. Malawi sit third in Group B on three points after a win over South Sudan and a loss to Angola. Fuel Crisis: With shortages disrupting businesses and driving fish prices up fourfold at one Salima landing site, MERA is offering rewards of up to K1.5 million for information leading to the recovery of illegally traded or hoarded fuel. Health Recruitment: Stakeholders say the government’s November 20–22 walk-in interviews need clearer vacancy and deployment details, as well as crowd controls to protect jobseekers. Protest Rights: CAMA chief John Kapito warns that blocking peaceful demonstrations could deepen tensions, urging government to respect citizens’ constitutional right to protest.

Right to Protest: The Consumers Association of Malawi warns that blocking peaceful demonstrations could fuel anger and violence, as rising living costs, fuel shortages and unemployment deepen public frustration. Fuel Crisis: Scarce fuel is disrupting livelihoods beyond transport: fish prices at one Salima landing site have quadrupled to K4,000, while some fishers have stopped going out on the lake. Flames: Malawi head to Egypt for crucial AFCON qualifiers on November 13 and 17. Egypt has replaced coach Hossam Hassan with Ali Maher just days before the first match. Health Recruitment: Health groups welcome plans to recruit workers but urge staggered interview times, organised queues and security to prevent stampedes at November’s walk-in interviews. Climate: Lake Malawi is not expected to face major water impacts from El Niño, but conservationists warn that erratic rainfall could threaten newly planted trees.

Protest Rights: The Consumers Association of Malawi warns that blocking peaceful demonstrations could deepen public anger and fuel unrest, as households face high living costs, fuel shortages and foreign-exchange pressures. AFCON Qualifiers: Egypt has sacked coach Hossam Hassan and appointed Ali Maher days before its November 13 and 17 matches against Malawi. Mining: Malawi has shipped its first uranium export from Kayelekera since operations resumed: 145,000 pounds of concentrate bound for France, with the company expecting revenue before year-end. Diplomatic Accountability: Reports allege three Malawian diplomats leased two government properties in Harare, including the deputy ambassador’s residence, to a private firm for 10 years without Foreign Ministry approval. Party Politics: Veteran politician Joseph Njobvuyalema has left the MCP to join the governing DPP, praising its leadership as focused and mature.

Agro-processing: Sunseed Oil showcased how processing local crops into products such as cooking oil, flour and animal feed can create value and markets for farmers. Mining: Workers at Karonga’s Nkhachira coal mine allege poor safety gear, low pay and intimidation; the claims surfaced during a police inspection. Public Funds: The Anti-Corruption Bureau is inspecting constituency development projects amid allegations of rigged tenders and favouritism. Economy: Afrobarometer says 53% of Malawians approve of the government’s economic management, up 32 percentage points from 2024, even as the kwacha remains among Africa’s weakest currencies. Landmark Ruling: The Supreme Court of Appeal dismissed Mama Cecilia Kadzamira’s land appeal, leaving ownership of Tichitenji Estate with the Kaphwiti Banda family. Football: Sports Minister Alfred Gangata hailed the Scorchers’ WAFCON run and World Cup qualification, while acknowledging the Flames’ struggles.

Power: ESCOM has deployed motorbikes and live digital tracking to speed up fault repairs, with a nationwide rollout planned; the energy minister also flagged hundreds of unused transformers that failed to meet standards. Medicine Shortages: Parliament’s Health Committee is questioning forex priorities after the Central Medical Stores Trust struggled to pay overseas suppliers while public hospitals face drug shortages. Climate Readiness: UNICEF handed Malawi 11.7 tonnes of Norway-backed supplies as the country prepares for El Niño, with below-normal rain forecast in parts of the Central and Southern regions. Digital Divide: Malawi ranked last among 56 Commonwealth countries for youth AI readiness, scoring 26.3 out of 100; limited electricity and internet access are major barriers. Public Finances: A Supreme Court of Appeal ruling in the Finance Bank case leaves the Reserve Bank facing a liability reported at nearly K300 billion, after years without the government filing its defence. Arts & Rights: Malawi is mourning poet Jack Mapanje, who died aged 82, while HRDC says it will challenge NGORA’s move to deregister the coalition.

Health and Forex: Drug shortages are drawing parliamentary scrutiny, with the Health Committee asking the Reserve Bank why foreign currency is available for vehicle imports but not medicines. Jack Mapanje: Malawi mourns the celebrated poet and academic, who died in the UK aged 82; President Peter Mutharika praised his courage in challenging authority. Digital Divide: Malawi ranked last among 56 Commonwealth countries for youth AI readiness, with poor electricity and internet access limiting young people’s opportunities. Economy: Imports rose 11.3% to $3 billion in the first nine months of the year, while exports fell 22.9% in September, deepening pressure on foreign currency. Civic Space: NGORA’s move to deregister HRDC has sparked a legal challenge from activist Redson Munlo, who says the regulator lacks authority. Connectivity: Airtel Malawi says it invested nearly K81 billion in network upgrades over ten months as data traffic surged.

Digital Divide: Malawi ranked last among 56 Commonwealth countries for youth AI readiness, scoring 26.3 out of 100. Limited electricity, costly data and low internet access threaten young people’s chances of benefiting from AI. Literary Loss: Malawi is mourning poet and academic Jack Mapanje, who died in the UK aged 82. President Peter Mutharika praised his courage and contribution to literature; Mapanje was jailed without trial under the Banda regime for his writing. Flames: Coach Kalisto Pasuwa named a 24-man squad for Malawi’s AFCON qualifiers against Egypt, but seven regulars are unavailable. The teams meet in Cairo on November 13 and in Lilongwe on November 17. Local Economy: Government is urging businesses to buy from local producers, saying stronger markets for SMEs could reduce imports and earn foreign exchange. Public Finances: The Supreme Court’s Finance Bank appeal ruling leaves government and the Reserve Bank facing a liability of nearly K300 billion, after years of missed court filings. Energy: Malawi has launched a net-metering scheme for homes and businesses with solar panels, starting with a 34-customer pilot.

Fuel and Power: Manufacturers warn that suspended bulk-fuel permits could disrupt production, especially as blackouts force businesses to rely on generators. New net-metering rules will let households and businesses feed surplus solar power into the grid. Regional Fuel Security: A $2.5 billion Dangote storage and pipeline project in Namibia could eventually supply Malawi and other countries; Dangote raised his African investment target to $60 billion by 2030. Public Accountability: The Chilima crash inquiry heard a witness allege a bomb caused the crash, but official investigations have found no evidence of explosives. Public Finances: The Supreme Court of Appeal ordered the Reserve Bank to pay Finance Bank K300 billion in compensation. Cross-Border Crime: Malawi recorded 41,000 transnational crimes in 2025, down from 42,800 the previous year, officials say. Culture: Poet and academic Jack Mapanje, jailed under Hastings Banda’s rule and later exiled, has died aged 82. Football: Kalisto Pasuwa named 24 players for Malawi’s AFCON qualifying double-header against Egypt on November 13 and 17.

Cost-of-Living Crisis: Bon Kalindo has suspended planned protests after talks with government, which promised to respond to concerns over fuel, power, water and foreign-exchange shortages within two weeks. Public Finances: The Supreme Court of Appeal ordered the Reserve Bank to pay Finance Bank K300 billion over its 2005 licence revocation, leaving a major potential bill for taxpayers. Climate and Hunger: UNICEF says 2.6 million people already face crisis-level hunger and warns that a $5.54 million funding gap is hindering preparations for severe El Niño conditions. Accountability: Malawi MP Steven Baba Malondera was elected chair of the African Organisation of Public Accounts Committees for a four-year term, urging governments not to obstruct parliamentary oversight. Child Protection: Eighteen girls rescued from nightclub sexual exploitation graduated from a six-month rehabilitation programme in Lilongwe. Rural Economy: GiveDirectly plans one-time cash payments for about 120,000 households in two poor rural districts by year’s end, testing whether large transfers can stimulate local economies.

Scorchers Shine: Temwa Chawinga scored four goals in Malawi’s Olympic qualifying wins over Zimbabwe, while she and sister Tabitha were named among the CAF Women’s Player of the Year nominees. Energy Protests: The NGO regulator deregistered HRDC over missing financial returns and governance filings. The group says it will challenge the decision in court and still plans November 17 protests over fuel shortages and blackouts. Economic Pressure: Malawi’s trade deficit widened 21.3 percent year-on-year to K405 billion in September, with exports down and fuel accounting for nearly a quarter of imports. Mining: The first Kayelekera uranium shipment is valued at about $10 million, but the government says that is not the amount it will directly receive; public revenue will depend on taxes, royalties and other arrangements. Climate and Water: UNICEF is seeking urgent funding ahead of a potentially severe El Niño, warning of risks to children’s food, health and schooling. WaterAid says limited domestic funding and reliance on donors threaten Malawi’s 2030 water and sanitation goals, as some Lilongwe residents turn to polluted rivers when taps run dry.

Kasasile Land Dispute: Displaced families say they were stunned by Vice-President Enock Chihana’s call for Maji Estate residents to divide their land with them. They say the site is already occupied and insist they will not leave Kasasile until they receive compensation for damaged homes. Civil Society: NGO regulator NGORA has deregistered HRDC over missing financial and governance records. The coalition says it will challenge the decision in court and proceed with planned demonstrations. Digital Fraud: Police arrested Emmanuel Soko over an allegedly forged government statement. Homeland Security Minister Peter Mukhito warned that fake audio, videos and AI-generated material are not protected by freedom of expression. Women’s Football: Four Scorchers—Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga, Mercy Sikelo and Rose Kadzere—earned CAF Women’s Awards nominations; Malawi is also shortlisted for Team of the Year. Drug Probe: Parliament rejected an MRA briefing on stolen and falsified medicines, ordering Commissioner General Felix Tambulasi to return with a fuller report. Telecommunications: MPs pressed Airtel Malawi over high data prices and mobile-money fraud. Commonwealth: Foreign Affairs Minister George Chaponda urged member states to deliver practical action on climate finance, conflict and economic inequality.