AGP Executive Report

Mutharika Returns: President Peter Mutharika is back after nearly four weeks in South Africa, insisting he remained in charge and blaming fuel shortages on transport problems. He says fuel is available at regional ports and expects blackouts to end by December; local transporters say they have trucks ready to help move supplies. Parliament Dispute: The Malawi Law Society says Mutharika’s postponement of Parliament’s mid-year budget review was unconstitutional, intensifying questions over executive powers and legislative oversight. Cost of the Crisis: Fuel shortages and blackouts have cost milk producers an estimated K1 billion, with 17 percent of output lost this year. Tobacco farmers are also entering the new season in debt after lower prices and sales. Drought Pressure: El Niño is worsening fodder shortages in Mulanje, forcing cattle farmers to travel farther to feed their animals.

Fuel Crisis: President Peter Mutharika says fuel is available at regional ports but transport logistics are delaying supplies. His return from South Africa comes as motorists face shortages, while MERA has suspended bulk-fuel permits over alleged abuse. Parliament Dispute: The Malawi Law Society says Mutharika had no constitutional power to postpone Parliament’s mid-year budget review, warning the directive was unlawful. Forest Protection: LUANAR professor Judith Kamoto says communities guarding Malawi’s forests need a fair share of the benefits, alongside stronger accountability and participation. Children’s Health: SPARC Systems raised its Beit-CURE pledge to K108 million, helping the hospital reach its K400 million target for surgeries for 256 children. Rail Reform: The Transport Ministry is restructuring Malawi Railways as government looks to revive the country’s rail system.

Economic Direction: Malawi cannot borrow its way to prosperity, an economic analyst warns, urging a stronger focus on exports and investment. A separate warning says heavy reliance on NGO foreign currency brings risks as well as support. Youth Football: Malawi’s Under-15s finished 79th among 189 teams at the FIFA festival in Baku, winning five of 10 matches and gaining international experience. Fuel and Power: Fuel shortages and high prices continue to hit households and businesses, while Energy Minister Jean Mathanga says repairs at Nkula and planned power imports from Mozambique could halve blackouts by December. Politics and Parliament: The Law Society has called President Peter Mutharika’s postponement of Parliament’s budget review unconstitutional, adding to concerns that the delay weakens oversight. Business and Services: The competition regulator approved TNM’s purchase of Open Connect’s fibre network, subject to safeguards on fair access and competition. Councils, meanwhile, are being pressed to show that revenue collection leads to better services and visible development.

Parliament Dispute: The Malawi Law Society says President Peter Mutharika acted unconstitutionally by postponing Parliament’s mid-year budget review and urged Speaker Sameer Suleman to let MPs resume their oversight duties. Opposition figures have also condemned the move. Fuel and Power Crisis: Motorists still face queues and empty pumps after Energy Minister Jean Mathanga’s deadline to stabilise fuel supplies passed. Petrol prices are reported to be Africa’s highest. Mathanga says repairs at Nkula power station and planned electricity imports from Mozambique could halve blackouts by December. Electoral Commission: The Malawi Electoral Commission risks eviction from its Lilongwe headquarters over K274.78 million in unpaid rent, with its landlord demanding payment or possession of the building. Roads: Japan has signed a K4.4 billion grant to provide Lilongwe City Council with road rehabilitation equipment.

Fuel Crisis: Motorists face hours-long queues, rationing and black-market prices as Malawi’s fuel shortage persists. Petrol has reached US$3.24 a litre—the highest in Africa—while the government cites scarce foreign currency and disrupted supplies. Public Safety: Police say Egypt’s deputy ambassador was hospitalised after being beaten in Lilongwe; an investigation is underway. Mining Investment: Sovereign Metals says a study found rare-earth production at its Kasiya project could add US$722 million to its pre-tax net present value. Economic Reform: Afidep’s Eliya Zulu told economists that policy shifts and staff changes after elections undermine long-term reforms. Food Security: MAIIC has ordered Mega Farms borrowers to deliver outstanding maize by November 22 or risk debt collection and court action. Health: WHO supported Malawi’s US$437.9 million Global Fund request for HIV, tuberculosis, malaria and stronger health systems for 2027–2030.

Presidential Accountability: Rights group VHRDN says President Peter Mutharika’s five private trips to South Africa kept him abroad for more than 72 days and is asking who paid for them. Budget Oversight: Parliament’s mid-year budget review has been postponed as the government redirects resources to fuel and El Niño preparations. Committee chair Sosten Gwengwe warns lawmakers will be unable to properly scrutinise spending. Cost-of-Living Pressure: Malawi has Africa’s highest fuel prices amid ongoing shortages. Activist Bon Kalindo has given the government a week to address fuel, food and corruption concerns or face protests. Food Security: Phalombe Council plans to rehabilitate seven irrigation schemes, restoring 342 hectares for 1,142 farmers ahead of El Niño. MAIIC has also ordered Mega Farms borrowers to deliver maize by November 22 to repay public loans. Digital Skills: Airtel is committing K22.6 million to digital learning and cybersecurity education, including internet access for 20 university students.

Parliament and Budget: Malawi’s mid-year budget review has been postponed as government redirects resources to prepare for El Niño. An MCP youth leader says no new date has been set, warning the delay could weaken oversight. Passport Crisis: Seven people were arrested after frustrated applicants damaged immigration offices in Lilongwe; one officer was injured. Homeland Security Minister Peter Mukhito has apologised and promised urgent action to clear the backlog. Housing: Government has signed partnerships with housing organisations and FDH Bank to support affordable housing and informal-settlement upgrading, as about three-quarters of urban residents live in informal settlements. Economy: Inflation eased to 20.1% in the third quarter, largely as food inflation slowed, but non-food inflation remains high and the Reserve Bank warns price pressures persist. Amaryllis Inquiry: Freshly surfaced CCTV footage reportedly shows a senior minister involved in moving cash linked to the hotel sale; the recordings have not been authenticated. Football: Temwa Chawinga made history as the first African woman to reach the Women’s Ballon d’Or top 10, finishing 10th.

Crash Inquiry: MDF officer Lt Obed Mwenebanda told MPs he does not know who leaked photos from the fatal 2024 aircraft crash, saying troops were barred from taking pictures. Vice-President’s Role: CAMA urged President Mutharika to restore Jane Ansah’s responsibilities, warning that sidelining her weakens leadership. Mutharika’s extended stay in South Africa has also raised transparency questions, though lawyers say his absence alone is not a constitutional breach. Justice System: Civil society groups want an independent probe into an allegedly forged court document bearing genuine seals, warning it could put citizens’ rights at risk. Cost of Living: Inflation fell to 20.1% in the third quarter from 22.9%, but high non-food inflation and prices still squeeze households; the RBM kept its policy rate at 24%. Mining and Aid: Kayelekera is preparing its first uranium export shipment in November, while WFP will cut food assistance to Dzaleka refugees by 46% next month because of funding shortfalls. Football: Malawi’s U-15 team beat Hungary 2-0 to reach the FIFA festival’s Tier C last 16.

Presidential Accountability: President Peter Mutharika’s three-week stay in South Africa has intensified calls for clarity on his health and duties. Lawyers say his absence alone is not unconstitutional, but civic groups want greater transparency and a clearer role for Vice-President Jane Ansah. Parliament and Crisis Response: Mutharika has postponed Parliament until the next Budget Meeting, saying funds are needed for El Niño and fuel pressures. The move has drawn concerns over the President’s authority to suspend sittings. Health Services: Health unions have given government 14 days to address staffing shortages, unpaid allowances and poor hospital conditions or face a nationwide strike. Economy and Trade: Malawi and Mozambique have agreed to streamline agricultural trade, while Kayelekera prepares its first uranium shipment since operations resumed. National Pride: Temwa Chawinga has become the first African woman to finish in the Women’s Ballon d’Or top 10, placing 10th.

Health Crisis: Malawi’s health unions have given the government 14 days to address staff shortages, unpaid allowances and poor hospital conditions, warning of a nationwide strike. Parliament and Relief: President Peter Mutharika has postponed Parliament’s next sitting, saying funds are needed for the El Niño response and fuel situation; no date was given for the next meeting. Fuel Shortages: Zomba motorists are demanding answers as queues persist, while officials say incoming fuel deliveries should ease supply this week. National Milestone: Temwa Chawinga finished 10th in the Women’s Ballon d’Or, becoming the first African woman to reach the award’s top 10. Cybersecurity: Hackers breached Malawi’s land information system, exposing title deed data, as ministers push for tougher laws to tackle online crime. Food Aid: The WFP has cut its planned lean-season assistance from 600,000 people to 400,000 because of funding shortages.

Football: Temwa Chawinga finished 10th in the Women’s Ballon d’Or, becoming the first African woman to reach the award’s top 10. First Lady Gertrude Mutharika called it a national milestone. Food Security: WFP has cut planned lean-season aid by a third, from 600,000 people to 400,000, leaving 200,000 at risk as it faces a $142.3 million funding gap. Disaster Preparedness: Malawi has raised K163.7 billion for its El Niño plan but still faces a K324.8 billion shortfall, with health, water, sanitation and energy among the underfunded areas. Chikangawa Crash Inquiry: Parliamentary hearings into the plane crash that killed former vice-president Saulos Chilima and eight others have resumed in Mzuzu, with witnesses expected to address search and rescue efforts. Politics: Lazarus Chakwera has acknowledged that self-interest among MCP officials contributed to the party’s defeat, as his bid to contest again in 2030 sharpens internal divisions.

Fuel Crisis: Malawi’s worsening shortages have left motorists waiting for days, while the country’s fuel prices rank highest in Africa. Presidential Accountability: HRDC is demanding verifiable assurances that President Peter Mutharika can perform his duties after weeks in South Africa, as fuel, power and water problems mount. MCP Rebuild: Lazarus Chakwera says internal divisions and ministers’ pursuit of personal interests helped drive the party’s 2025 election defeat. Rural Finance: MAIIC’s K42 billion facility aims to fund farmers and rural businesses, but only K5 billion has reached participating lenders so far. Football Milestone: Malawi’s Temwa Chawinga became the first African woman to finish in the Ballon d’Or top 10; Harry Kane won the men’s award.

Political Violence: The attack on former president Lazarus Chakwera’s convoy and the alleged assault of journalists at a Blantyre church celebration have drawn condemnation from rights groups, which are demanding arrests and an investigation into claims that police failed to intervene. The DPP denies responsibility. Presidential Accountability: The opposition is demanding answers over President Peter Mutharika’s prolonged stay in South Africa as fuel shortages, power cuts and medicine shortages deepen. Chikangawa Inquiry: Parliamentary hearings into the 2024 plane crash that killed former vice-president Saulos Chilima and eight others resume in Mzuzu on October 27. Junior Flames: Malawi’s Under-15 team lost 4-0 to Algeria at the World Cup in Baku, ending its unbeaten run. Mining: Lotus Resources has secured final export approval for its first uranium shipment from Kayelekera, expected to leave Malawi next week. Rural Finance: MAIIC has launched a K42 billion facility to expand affordable financing for rural businesses, including farms. Healthcare: A new Blantyre diagnostic centre backed by Thomson Mpinganjira aims to reduce delays in cancer testing and other medical services.

Political Violence: HRDC has urged police to investigate the reported attack on former president Lazarus Chakwera’s convoy in Blantyre and the alleged assault of two journalists covering the incident. The DPP denies involvement, and police say they are investigating damage to a vehicle. Presidential Absence: DPP secretary general Peter Mukhito says President Arthur Peter Mutharika is well and can govern from South Africa using modern communications. The president’s repeated trips abroad, including his current stay, have fuelled questions about accountability and his ability to lead from outside Malawi. Junior Flames: Malawi’s Under-15 team beat Suriname 3-1 to make it three wins from three at the World Cup in Azerbaijan. They face Algeria next. CCAP Anniversary: Blantyre Synod marked 150 years, but reported political tensions at the celebrations prompted moderator Missie Kananji Spiki to warn that churches should not become battlegrounds.

Junior Flames: Malawi’s Under-15s beat Oman 3-1, following their 3-2 comeback win over Chinese Taipei, to make a strong start at the FIFA U-15 World Cup in Baku. Forex Pressure: Malawi imports about 1,000 vehicles a month despite acute foreign-exchange shortages. Governance expert Henry Chingaipe called for import restrictions, while NPC chief Frederick Changaya urged a shift towards electric vehicles. Presidential Accountability: As fuel shortages, blackouts and rising prices bite, Information Minister Shadric Namalomba dismissed opposition concerns over President Peter Mutharika’s prolonged absence, calling the trip private and offering no details. Public Appointments: The Malawi Bureau of Standards dismissed Angel Chima days after announcing her appointment; it has not explained the decision, which followed controversy over her family ties to former president Lazarus Chakwera. Scorchers: FAM is offering K3 million for a limited-edition kit design for Malawi’s 2027 Women’s World Cup campaign. Entries are due by November 6.

Fuel Crisis: Shortages continue to leave motorists waiting for hours, while fuel, power, water and medicine gaps are prompting HRDC to threaten peaceful nationwide protests unless the government acts. Presidential Accountability: Opposition parties are demanding answers about President Mutharika’s extended stay in South Africa as the country faces deepening crises; government says he is in good health. Economy: Inflation fell to 19.4% in September, but non-food inflation remains high at 31.5%, and economists warn Malawi still trails its neighbours. Healthcare: Businessman Thom Mpinganjira has invested K16 billion in a Blantyre diagnostic centre, which could help patients access advanced tests without travelling abroad. Football: Malawi’s Under-15 team opened its FIFA World Cup campaign with a 2–1 win over Chinese Taipei in Baku.