President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika has almost clocked one year in office since he was sworn in on 4 October 2025. In just 11 months, Malawians are already feeling the difference. Fuel queues are gone, school fees are gone, and maize prices have dropped. Our reporter sat down with political and economic analyst Mathews Namukhoyo to break down why many say APM is fixing what the Chakwera administration broke.
Q1: Mr Namukhoyo, Mutharika has been in office for almost a year now. How would you rate his performance so far?
A:I would rate it very highly. In just 11 months President Mutharika has brought back discipline, stability and hope. Malawians were tired of empty promises. Within weeks of taking office he ended fuel shortages, cut waste, and started delivering on his campaign pledges. Nyasa Times even scored him 7.6 out of 10 for year one. That is rare for a new administration.
Q2: Let’s start with education. He abolished school fees and introduced free secondary education. How big is that?
A: It is huge. For the first time in years parents are not being chased from school for development fees. He directed that only boarding fees should be paid. Free secondary education started in January 2026. This is what leadership looks like. Under the previous Chakwera administration school costs kept rising and many children dropped out. APM has put education back within reach of the poor.
Q3: What about agriculture and hunger? The farm input subsidy and maize imports made headlines.
A:Absolutely. 1.5 million households have now accessed fertilizer and seed at K10,000 per bag. He also imported 200,000 metric tons of maize from Zambia and distributed it to 4 million people. Because of that maize prices dropped from MK100,000 to MK38,000 – MK55,000. Food inflation fell to 14.7% in June 2026. Under Chakwera we had hunger, high prices and theft in the subsidy programme. Mutharika has cleaned it up and made it work for real farmers.
Q4: The economy was in crisis when he came in. Has he turned things around?
A: Yes. Inflation has dropped from 23.4% in May 2026 to 21.1% in June 2026. He cut government waste, removed ghost workers, cancelled fraudulent contracts, and appointed a lean cabinet. He also banned export of raw minerals to force local processing. That one policy alone will retain up to $500 million every year. Chakwera left us with debt and chaos. Mutharika is engaging financiers and renegotiating the IMF programme to put us back on track.
Q5: Service delivery was a big complaint under the last government. What has changed?Â
A: Passport printing is back in Blantyre, Mzuzu and Mangochi with a new machine doing 500 passports daily. Fuel queues are gone. The reformed CDF is now giving K5 billion per constituency plus K100 million for youth and women loans. We are already seeing bridges and school blocks completed. Under Chakwera, CDF money disappeared and services collapsed. APM has restored accountability.
Q6: Critics say his cabinet is too lean. Is that a weakness?
A: No, that is strength. Malawians don’t want a bloated government that eats money. He appointed people on merit, regardless of region. That is nation building. Chakwera’s government was known for cronyism and rewarding loyalty over competence. Mutharika has reversed that.
Q7: He also launched an industrialisation agenda. What does that mean for jobs?Â
A: He is targeting six sectors: agro-processing, textiles, minerals, pharmaceuticals, renewable energy and technology. Plus feasibility studies are done for a local fertilizer plant. This is long term thinking. Chakwera talked about mega farms but delivered nothing. APM is laying the foundation for real factories and real jobs.
Q8: Corruption was a major issue. How is he handling it?Â
A: Zero tolerance. He said no one will be protected, and we have seen action. The arrest of Collins Magalasi over the Amaryllis issue proves that. He has not interfered with police, FIA, or ACB. Under Chakwera, corruption was institutionalized and those linked to the ruling party were untouchable. Malawians now see that the law is taking its course.
Q9: Some people say his leadership style is old school. What’s your take?
A: Malawi needed old school discipline. We needed someone who says what he will do and does it. In one year he has delivered on food, fuel, education, and governance. The country feels stable again. His administration is also gaining international recognition for steering Malawi back to stability.
Q10: Final word to Malawians as he completes year one?Â
A: My message is simple. Give this government time. In 11 months we have seen more action than in 5 years of the previous administration. Chakwera failed Malawians on the economy, on corruption, and on service delivery. Mutharika is cleaning the house. If he continues at this pace, Malawi will recover fully. The people have made the right choice.
