Minister of Information and Communications Technology, Dr. Shadric Namalomba, has praised the construction of the new Ryalls Hotel at Lilongwe Golf Club, calling it a major investment that reflects growing trust in Malawi’s economy and development plans.
Namalomba made the remarks during a site visit to the US$60 million project this week. He said the development demonstrates the government’s efforts to create a conducive environment for private sector participation.
“The scale of this investment shows investors believe in Malawi’s future. It is proof that our policies to enable business are working,” the minister said.
He also commended the developers for prioritizing local sourcing, noting that most construction materials are being procured within Malawi. According to Namalomba, that approach will create jobs and keep more value in the local economy.
The Ryalls Hotel project is expected to add modern accommodation and conferencing facilities in Lilongwe once complete, boosting the capital’s hospitality and tourism sector.
Government has been pushing to attract private investment in infrastructure and tourism as part of its broader economic growth agenda.
Governance expert, Earnest Thindwa, has stressed the need for Malawi to fully implement development policies and strategies that have already been formulated if the country is to achieve meaningful economic growth.
Speaking on 2 June 2026 in Lilongwe, Thindwa said several national development agendas have failed to transform the country’s economy, not because they lacked vision, but because successive governments struggled to implement them effectively and consistently.
According to Thindwa, continuity in policy implementation has contributed to slow economic growth, persistent poverty and underdevelopment despite the existence of well-crafted development frameworks.
Thindwa
He cited a number of strategies that have faced implementation challenges over the years, including the Malawi Growth and Development Strategy (MGDS), Vision 2020, the Green Belt Initiative and various industrialization and agricultural transformation program.
His remarks come as the ATM strategy is facing delays to be implemented by government.
The Malawi Prison Service has disclosed that a total of 101 inmates are sitting for this year’s Junior Certificate of Education (JCE) examinations in various prison facilities across the country, describing the development as a positive step towards rehabilitation and social reintegration.
According to Malawi Prison Service spokesperson, Steve Charles Meke, the candidates are writing their examinations at centres located in Zomba, Blantyre (Chichiri), Bvumbwe Young Offenders Reformatory Centre, Lilongwe (Maula), Mzuzu and Mzimba prisons.
Meke says the participation of inmates in national examinations demonstrates the prison service’s commitment to promoting education as a key component of rehabilitation.
Steve Charles Meke
According to him, the service will continue providing inmates with a conducive learning environment and access to educational opportunities to equip them with knowledge and skills that will help them successfully reintegrate into society upon their release.
He has since commended various stakeholders, including the Malawi Government, Civil Society Organisations and the faith community.
The Malawi Bureau of Standards (MBS) has intensified its crackdown on unsafe products on the market after impounding 300 bales of expired Meru Soya Chunks from a wholesaler in Blantyre.
The expired food products were confiscated from Price Worthy Wholesalers in Limbe during a routine market surveillance exercise conducted on June 1, 2026.
According to MBS, inspectors discovered that the soya chunks were still being offered for sale despite having exceeded their expiry date, raising concerns over consumer safety.
The bureau said the products were immediately removed from circulation to prevent unsuspecting customers from purchasing food that could potentially pose health risks.
Following the discovery, MBS imposed a fine of MK3 million on the wholesaler for breaching consumer protection and product safety regulations.
The action highlights the bureau’s growing efforts to ensure that businesses comply with national standards and that consumers are protected from unsafe products.
MBS said routine inspections remain a critical tool in identifying and removing expired, substandard, and non-compliant goods from the market.
The bureau warned traders and shop owners across the country against stocking or selling products that have passed their expiry dates.
Officials stressed that businesses have a responsibility to regularly monitor their inventory and remove products that are no longer fit for consumption.
MBS further indicated that failure to comply with product safety requirements could attract penalties and other enforcement measures.
The bureau has also appealed to members of the public to take an active role in protecting themselves by checking expiry dates before purchasing food products.
Consumers have additionally been encouraged to report any suspected cases of expired or unsafe goods to relevant authorities as MBS continues its efforts to promote quality and safety standards in Malawi’s markets.
Since the swearing-in of President Peter Mutharika’s cabinet, 247Malawinews has committed itself to an unflinching and objective analysis of every minister’s performance.
This rigorous scrutiny aims to provide Malawians with an honest appraisal of how their leaders are serving the nation.
Among these cabinet members, Honorable Dr. Shadreck Namalomba, Minister of Information and Digitalization, stands out as a shining example of dedication, innovation, and servant leadership that Malawi desperately needs today.
From the moment Dr. Namalomba was appointed on October 30, 2025, his tenure has been marked by vigorous action and impressive accomplishments that have transformed the landscape of digitalization and information dissemination in Malawi.
Namalomba
Under his stewardship, the $150 million Digital Malawi Acceleration Project (DMAP) was launched — a visionary initiative considered one of the largest digital investments in the country’s history.
His leadership in accelerating the installation of 2,000 km of fiber-optic cable to connect over 2,500 institutions, including 2,000 schools and 500 government offices, is reshaping Malawi’s digital infrastructure and opening new horizons for education and governance.
Dr. Namalomba’s drive to connect 2,000 primary, secondary, and technical schools to the internet by 2030 is a testament to his commitment to empowering Malawi’s youth with essential digital skills.
The establishment of more than 75 ICT labs since 2025 reflects his hands-on approach and genuine concern for the next generation’s future.
Equally impressive is the upgrade of the National Data Centre in Lilongwe, positioning Malawi to embrace Artificial Intelligence and high-performance computing, a move that strategically places the nation on a competitive global technology map.
Beyond infrastructure, Namalomba’s focus on affordability and access has been revolutionary. He has spearheaded efforts to lower smartphone prices below $40 and collaborate with mobile operators to make up to 3 million affordable devices available.
This bold agenda aims to achieve 80% digital connectivity among Malawians by 2030.
Furthermore, his success in slashing international bandwidth costs from $12 to $4.20 per Mbps has directly translated into more affordable internet for citizens, fostering greater inclusion and economic opportunity.
Dr. Namalomba’s passion for youth empowerment is evident in the Inclusive Digital Transformation for Malawi Project, where he personally awarded certificates to 30 university students trained in advanced digital skills.
His call for young innovators to create homegrown solutions instead of relying on foreign technologies underscores his visionary leadership and desire to cultivate a self-reliant Malawi.
The launch of the National ICT Innovation Awards further illustrates his resolve to position Malawi as a producer, not just a consumer, of digital technologies, showcasing local tools that enhance agriculture, education, and health sectors.
On the international front, Namalomba has represented Malawi with distinction, forging vital partnerships with global leaders such as Ericsson, Ghana’s tech sector, and the GSMA.
His engagements at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona focused on 5G, AI, and ICT training, all aimed at equipping Malawian youth for the future digital economy. His advocacy for seamless cross-border digital transactions within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) highlights his strategic thinking about regional integration and economic growth.
Beyond these tangible achievements, Namalomba’s role as Minister of Information has been exemplary in terms of accessibility and engagement.
A recent survey conducted among media houses revealed that he is the most interactive and available government spokesperson under President Mutharika’s administration.
This is a stark contrast to his predecessor, Moses Kunkuyu, who was often criticized for being unresponsive to journalists’ calls and questionnaires. Reporters unanimously praise Dr. Namalomba for being approachable, hardworking, and genuinely committed to transparency and dialogue.
His respectful demeanor and servant leadership style have endeared him to the press and the public alike, embodying the true spirit of a public servant dedicated to the people rather than the title of minister.
In recognition of these outstanding contributions, 247Malawinews awards Hon. Dr. Shadreck Namalomba a perfect score of 20 points out of 20 — a full scale that reflects excellence in performance, leadership, and service delivery.
Such a high rating is not handed out lightly but earned through consistent hard work, visionary policies, and genuine engagement with stakeholders.
President Peter Mutharika deserves commendation for his visionary appointments that have brought dynamic and capable leaders like Dr. Namalomba into the cabinet.
This analysis is part of a broader commitment by 247Malawinews to objectively evaluate all ministers without fear or favour, providing Malawians with a clear picture of how their government is performing.
Dr. Shadreck Namalomba exemplifies the qualities of an excellent minister: innovative, accessible, hardworking, and deeply committed to Malawi’s digital transformation and information landscape.
His remarkable achievements and the high regard in which he is held by the media and the public alike make him a cornerstone in President Mutharika’s government and a true asset for Malawi’s future.
His story is not just one of personal success but a beacon of hope for the nation’s digital ambitions and democratic transparency.
