By Burnett Munthali
Leader of Opposition in Malawi, Hon. Dr. George Chaponda, has confirmed holding a high-level meeting with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation as part of the institution’s Article IV consultations.
The delegation was led by IMF Advisor Justin Tyson, and the meeting centered on key issues concerning Malawi’s struggling economy and the way forward.
Hon. Dr. Chaponda was joined by Hon. Chimwemwe Chipungu and Hon. Gladys Ganda, both Members of Parliament and members of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) National Governing Council.
During the meeting, the opposition team expressed regret over the recent cancellation of the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) Program with the IMF.
They described the cancellation as a missed opportunity for the country, stressing that the ECF could have been instrumental in stabilizing Malawi’s ailing economy.
Dr. Chaponda and his team voiced concern over what they termed a lack of fiscal discipline within President Lazarus Chakwera’s administration.
He pointed out that mismanagement of public funds and a failure to implement prudent economic policies have contributed significantly to Malawi’s current economic hardships.
As the official opposition and what he called the “government in waiting,” Dr. Chaponda assured the IMF of DPP’s readiness to re-engage in the ECF program.
He stated that the DPP, under the leadership of former President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika, is committed to restoring economic stability through responsible governance.
Dr. Chaponda indicated that the DPP is eyeing September as a possible window to reinitiate discussions with the IMF on the ECF program.
He described the meeting with the IMF as both productive and forward-looking, offering hope for renewed collaboration that could benefit Malawi’s economic future.
The DPP’s positioning as a credible alternative comes amid growing public frustration over rising inflation, unemployment, and deepening poverty under the current administration.
Dr. Chaponda concluded by reiterating the opposition’s commitment to responsible leadership and economic recovery.
He expressed optimism about continued dialogue and collaboration with the IMF to help chart a more stable path for Malawi’s economy.
Through social media hashtags like #boma_la_peter_ili and #ReturnToProvenLeadership, Dr. Chaponda and his team are signaling their readiness to take over the reins of government and restore what they view as lost economic discipline.
