By Burnett Munthali
The Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiative (CDEDI), a Malawian rights group, has called on the government to resume issuing mining licences to indigenous Malawians, saying the move would help restore livelihoods for millions of people.
In a letter dated April 15, 2026, addressed to Principal Secretary for Energy and Mining Elvis Thodi, CDEDI argues that small-scale mining has become a vital source of income for over one million households in the country.
CDEDI’s executive director, Silvester Namiwa, described the current situation as unfair, claiming that while locals are being sidelined, the Mining and Minerals Regulatory Authority continues to grant licences to foreigners and politically connected individuals.
Namiwa was briefing the media in Lilongwe, where he emphasized the need for the government to prioritise empowering Malawians.
Namiwa said the government should focus on investing in mining equipment and providing training on safe and responsible mining practices, rather than restricting the participation of local miners.
This, he argued, would help to boost the sector and improve the livelihoods of Malawians.
The Reserve Bank of Malawi, through the Export Development Fund, started buying gold from small-scale miners in 2021, in a bid to formalise the sector and boost foreign exchange earnings.
The move was seen as a positive step towards supporting local miners and increasing government revenue.
However, small-scale mining has also been linked to accidents and environmental degradation, raising concerns about the need for stronger regulation.
Namiwa acknowledged these challenges, but argued that with proper support and training, local miners could operate safely and responsibly.
The issue of mining licences has been a contentious one in Malawi, with many arguing that the government has been slow to support local miners.
CDEDI’s call is likely to add pressure on the government to revisit its policies and prioritise the needs of indigenous Malawians.
The government has not yet responded to CDEDI’s call, but the issue is likely to be a key topic of discussion in the coming weeks.
As Malawi seeks to boost its economy, the role of small-scale mining is likely to come under increasing scrutiny.
