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Minister Namalomba sets bold agenda to revive Malawi’s digital and communication sectors

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Minister Namalomba sets bold agenda to revive Malawi’s digital and communication sectors




By Burnett Munthali

Minister of Information, Communications and Technology, Shadric Namalomba, has unveiled an ambitious roadmap aimed at stabilising and modernising Malawi’s digital and communication sectors.

Speaking after a high-level management meeting held at the Ministry’s Headquarters in Lilongwe, Namalomba commended his team for their commitment and capacity in navigating the challenges facing the Ministry.

He emphasized the urgency of addressing key issues, notably the financial crisis at Malawi Telecommunications Limited (MTL), stalled digital infrastructure projects, and persistent delays in finalising key policy and legislative frameworks.

Shadreck Namalomba



“The situation at MTL is a national priority that demands immediate financial and leadership intervention,” the Minister declared, signalling his readiness to confront the crisis head-on.

In a show of strong leadership, Namalomba directed all departments under his Ministry to submit six-month action plans designed to deliver measurable results within a clear timeframe.

He reaffirmed his commitment to transforming the Ministry into a model of efficiency, innovation, and accountability within government.

Secretary for Information and Communications Technology, Harold Msusa, echoed the Minister’s vision, describing the Ministry’s mission as one rooted in the principles of connecting, informing, and transforming Malawi.

Msusa stressed that the Ministry’s focus remains on fostering a digitally empowered nation where access to information drives development and citizen participation.

However, he acknowledged that the Ministry continues to grapple with a number of challenges, including funding delays, gaps in the policy and legislative framework, and the deepening financial woes at MTL.

“These challenges are significant, but with your leadership, they are surmountable,” Msusa assured, expressing confidence in Namalomba’s capacity to steer the Ministry through reform.

The Minister’s renewed sense of urgency signals a strategic shift toward proactive management and innovation-driven governance in Malawi’s ICT sector.

If implemented effectively, his reforms could mark a turning point in the country’s efforts to achieve a connected and digitally resilient economy.

Dr. Ben Malunga Phiri assumes office as Minister of Local Government, pledges to strengthen governance

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Dr. Ben Malunga Phiri assumes office as Minister of Local Government, pledges to strengthen governance

By Burnett Munthali

Newly appointed Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Dr. Ben Malunga Phiri, officially began his duties on Monday.

On his first day in office, Dr. Phiri met with senior management members of the Ministry to discuss key priorities and immediate actions.

During the meeting, the Minister expressed his firm commitment to serving the people of Malawi and advancing local governance reforms.

Phiri



He highlighted the importance of strengthening institutional structures to ensure effective service delivery across all districts.

Phiri emphasized that local government plays a critical role in promoting development, decentralization, and community empowerment.

He urged ministry staff to work diligently, uphold professionalism, and prioritize initiatives that directly benefit citizens.

The Minister also underscored the need for transparency, accountability, and collaboration between central and local government authorities.

Dr. Phiri was recently appointed Minister by President Professor Peter Mutharika, following a cabinet reshuffle aimed at improving governance and development outcomes.

He was officially sworn in on Sunday during a ceremony held at the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe.

The swearing-in marked the beginning of his tenure, during which he is expected to drive reforms that enhance local service delivery and empower communities nationwide.

Dr. Phiri’s first-day interactions with ministry management signal a hands-on approach and commitment to ensuring that local governance structures operate efficiently.

Observers note that his leadership comes at a critical time when Malawi seeks to strengthen decentralization, boost rural development, and ensure equitable distribution of resources.

The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development remains central to achieving national development goals, particularly in empowering communities and improving basic services.

With Dr. Phiri at the helm, stakeholders are hopeful that strategic reforms and effective policies will enhance governance, accountability, and inclusive development across the country.

His initial engagement with staff also reflects a focus on collaboration, professionalism, and results-oriented leadership, setting a positive tone for his tenure.

As Dr. Phiri settles into his new role, both ministry officials and the public will be watching closely to assess his impact on local government efficiency and rural development initiatives.

NGO Consortium implementing TRANSFORM project in 5 districts

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NGO Consortium implementing TRANSFORM project in 5 districts


By Vincent Gunde

A consortium of Non- Governmental Organizations (NGOs) is implementing Sustainable Food systems for Rural Agriculture Transformation and Resilience (TRANSFORM) project in five districts of the country, Rumphi, Mzimba, Kasungu, Dowa and Mchinji covering 22 Extension Planning Areas (EPAs).

In Dowa district, TRANSFORM project is targeting Mndolera, Chibvala, Nachisaka, and Mvera EPA’s with a goal of contributing to sustainable agricultural transformation that will result in improved income, food and nutrition security among smallholder farmers in Malawi.

Lovemore Kachingwe-the project will strengthen local food systems.



The project has an objective of strengthening local food systems and demonstrate a sustainable improvement of food and nutrition security, income and resilience to climate change to among 35,000 agricultural dependent rural households within selected EPAs.

Presenting an end of the program report to the District executive committee (Dec) in Dowa,Trustees of Agricultural Promotion Program (TAPP) M/E Officer Lovemore Kachingwe, said the project has the outcomes of increasing productivity, production, diversification, and resilience to climate change at household and community levels, increased consumption of safe, nutritious and diverse food by households and improved profitable market access and entrepreneurship opportunities.

Kachingwe said the project is being implemented with key approaches such as lead farmer follower farmers approach, farmer field school methodology, care group model, climate adaptive villages, Village and saving loans (VSL), and micro investment incubator model.

He said the project has distributed 8 maize shellers across the 4 EPAs of Dowa, rehabilitation of 2 irrigation schemes, distribution of 39 bicycles to section chairs and distribution of 3,476 goats to 1,738 households.

“The project has distributed 217.9 metric tonnes of basic seed (soya and ground nuts) to 10,895 farmers and led to the establishment and registration of Thamolatha Horticultural cooperative in Mndolera EPA,” said Kachingwe.

However, Kachingwe said beside the project registering success stories, there were challenges in the course of implementation such as fuel crisis, devaluation of the Malawi Kwacha, farmers prioritizing short term financial need, fall army worms, heavy rains and drying up of water sources.

On sustainability of the project, Kachingwe said the project will provide linkages of the seed multiplying farmers to seed services unit, government to continue activities through TRANSFORM structures, establishment of community livestock committees, and capacity building of Lead farmers.

He said TRANSFORM project has recommended for farmer field schools, the use of Lead farmers approach, coordination with government officers in planning and implementation and combination of interlinked activities from production, nutrition and marketing.

In his remarks, Dowa District Council’s Chief Administrative Officer Mathews Mkandawire, called on all partners implementing their various interventions in the district to provide progress reports of the projects they are implementing to Dec for cooperation, transparency and accountability purposes.

TRANSFORM has been implemented from 2020 to September, 2025 for 5 years with funds from the Royal Norwegian Embassy programme through Norwegian Church Aid (NCA)- Danish Church Aid (sDCA) targeting 150,000 agricultural dependent households and in Dowa district, the programme was implemented by TAPP and AG CARE.

Leadership row rocks MCP as party splits over Leader of Opposition post

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Leadership row rocks MCP as party splits over Leader of Opposition post







By Burnett Munthali

A fresh dispute has erupted within the main opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) over who should rightfully occupy the position of Leader of Opposition in Parliament.

Recently, the party’s president, Lazarus Chakwera, appointed Simplex Chithyola Banda to serve as the new Leader of Opposition, a decision that has since triggered internal disagreement.

However, the party’s Deputy Secretary General, Gerald Kazembe, has written to the Speaker of Parliament, Sameer Suleman, asking that MCP Members of Parliament hold an election to choose the Leader of Opposition instead of accepting a direct appointment.

Kazembe



In his letter, Kazembe argues that according to Section 35 of the Parliamentary Standing Orders, the process of selecting a Leader of Opposition must involve a formal vote by Members of Parliament, not a presidential nomination.

Kazembe insists that the party must adhere to parliamentary procedure to preserve transparency and democratic integrity within its ranks.

His intervention has exposed growing tensions between the MCP leadership and some members who feel that internal democracy within the party is being compromised.

Despite the challenge, Simplex Chithyola Banda has already assumed his duties as Leader of Opposition, having started performing his parliamentary responsibilities late last week.

Chithyola Banda’s appointment is seen by some party insiders as part of Chakwera’s strategy to strengthen his control over the MCP’s parliamentary wing following recent defections and internal disagreements.

Political analysts have described the development as a test of unity for the MCP, warning that prolonged disputes over leadership positions could weaken the opposition’s effectiveness in holding government accountable.

Observers also note that Speaker Sameer Suleman now faces a delicate task in handling the matter, as his ruling could set an important precedent for how internal party appointments intersect with parliamentary procedures.

The controversy has reignited debate over the balance of power within Malawi’s opposition politics, with some arguing that parties must respect parliamentary autonomy while others support the president’s right to make appointments for strategic cohesion.

As the situation unfolds, all eyes remain on how the MCP will resolve this leadership crisis — a development that could either consolidate or fracture the party’s parliamentary standing in the months ahead.

Chithyola

Leadership row rocks MCP as party splits over Leader of Opposition post

247Malawi
-
0
Leadership row rocks MCP as party splits over Leader of Opposition post







By Burnett Munthali

A fresh dispute has erupted within the main opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) over who should rightfully occupy the position of Leader of Opposition in Parliament.

Recently, the party’s president, Lazarus Chakwera, appointed Simplex Chithyola Banda to serve as the new Leader of Opposition, a decision that has since triggered internal disagreement.

However, the party’s Deputy Secretary General, Gerald Kazembe, has written to the Speaker of Parliament, Sameer Suleman, asking that MCP Members of Parliament hold an election to choose the Leader of Opposition instead of accepting a direct appointment.

Kazembe



In his letter, Kazembe argues that according to Section 35 of the Parliamentary Standing Orders, the process of selecting a Leader of Opposition must involve a formal vote by Members of Parliament, not a presidential nomination.

Kazembe insists that the party must adhere to parliamentary procedure to preserve transparency and democratic integrity within its ranks.

His intervention has exposed growing tensions between the MCP leadership and some members who feel that internal democracy within the party is being compromised.

Despite the challenge, Simplex Chithyola Banda has already assumed his duties as Leader of Opposition, having started performing his parliamentary responsibilities late last week.

Chithyola Banda’s appointment is seen by some party insiders as part of Chakwera’s strategy to strengthen his control over the MCP’s parliamentary wing following recent defections and internal disagreements.

Political analysts have described the development as a test of unity for the MCP, warning that prolonged disputes over leadership positions could weaken the opposition’s effectiveness in holding government accountable.

Observers also note that Speaker Sameer Suleman now faces a delicate task in handling the matter, as his ruling could set an important precedent for how internal party appointments intersect with parliamentary procedures.

The controversy has reignited debate over the balance of power within Malawi’s opposition politics, with some arguing that parties must respect parliamentary autonomy while others support the president’s right to make appointments for strategic cohesion.

As the situation unfolds, all eyes remain on how the MCP will resolve this leadership crisis — a development that could either consolidate or fracture the party’s parliamentary standing in the months ahead.

Chithyola
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