By Jones Gadama
Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Decentralisation, Joseph Mwanamvekha, has cautioned the Malawi Enterprise Development Fund (MEDF) against politicisation, stressing that the institution should serve all Malawians with integrity and fairness.
Speaking at the launch of MEDF’s 2026-2030 Strategic Plan, Mwanamvekha emphasised that MEDF loans are not handouts but rather tools for business growth and development.
The Minister urged MEDF management to strengthen loan recovery mechanisms, highlighting that unpaid loans threaten the fund’s sustainability.
“MEDF must break from the past and enforce discipline,” Mwanamvekha said, adding that loan allocation should be based on merit and viability, not political affiliation.
Mwanamvekha’s warning comes amid concerns about Malawi’s history with public lending facilities, many of which have collapsed due to poor repayment culture and political interference.
The MEDF aims to support small-scale entrepreneurs and stimulate economic recovery.
