Minister of Finance Simplex Chithyola Banda today presented the 2025/2026 National Budget in Parliament, outlining key measures aimed at addressing Malawi’s economic challenges and promoting sustainable growth.
The budget, which comes at a critical time for the country, prioritizes economic stability, with a strong emphasis on forex regulations, local production, and the revitalization of key sectors.
Finance Minister Simplex Chithyola
One of the most notable highlights of the budget is the introduction of stricter foreign exchange controls designed to stabilize the kwacha and ensure that foreign reserves are efficiently managed.
With Malawi facing persistent forex shortages, the government aims to tighten regulations on external transactions while encouraging local businesses to source inputs domestically.
In a bid to boost production and reduce dependency on imports, the budget includes incentives for local industries, particularly in agriculture, tourism, mining, and manufacturing.
Agriculture remains a key driver of the economy, and the government has pledged increased funding for irrigation projects, subsidies for smallholder farmers, and support for large-scale commercial farming to enhance food security and export capacity.
The tourism sector, which has struggled in recent years, is set to benefit from infrastructure improvements and marketing initiatives aimed at attracting more international visitors.
With the global demand for minerals rising, the government has also prioritized the mining sector, offering tax breaks and incentives to investors willing to explore and process Malawi’s mineral resources locally.
The manufacturing industry, which has faced significant challenges due to high production costs and unreliable electricity supply, will receive targeted support, including tax reliefs and investment in energy infrastructure to boost industrial productivity.
Minister Chithyola Banda emphasized that this budget is designed to put Malawi on a path to economic recovery, ensuring that key sectors receive the necessary support to drive growth and create jobs.
As Parliament debates the budget, stakeholders will be keen to assess whether these measures will effectively address the country’s pressing economic challenges and set the stage for long-term stability.
Green Livelihoods has called on the government to scale up its efforts in promoting bamboo production, citing its potential to boost the country’s economy.
The organization’s project officer Martha Mazika made the appeal on Friday after conducting a training session for artisans in Senior Chief Kwambiri’s area in Salima district.
Mazika emphasized that the government needs to provide more support for bamboo farming and market development, as many local artisans rely on bamboo for their livelihoods.
On his part,one of the artisans who benefited from the training, Jimison Kadzibwa, praised the program, saying it would enhance their skills and transform their livelihoods.
The bamboo value chain project, implemented by Green Livelihoods in partnership with Christian Aid Malawi and funded by Christian Aid UK, aims to benefit 2,000 people over two years.
High Court judge, Justice Chifundo Kachale on Friday February 28,2025 sentenced six police officers who were convicted for the murder of a suspect in police custody, Buleya Lule.
Handing the judgments in Lilongwe, Justice Kachale said the first convict, Paul Chipole, will serve a 20-year jail term, while the second convict, Ikram Malata, will serve a 18-year sentence for the counts of murder.
He said the other four, Richard Kalawire, Innocent Wanda, Maxwell Mbidzi and Abel Maseya will serve 15 years imprisonment each for the same offense.
On the second count of causing grievous harm, Justice Kachale said since this was the cause of the death of the suspect, the court cannot impose a separate sentence from that offence.
On his part,Lead defence lawyer, Lugano Mwabutwa said they are happy with the judgements, while state prosecutor, Dzikondianthu Malunda, expressed satisfaction with the outcome because in their submission, they had proposed such sentences.
Lule tragically died in police custody on the morning of February 21, 2019, at Lilongwe Police Station, when he was arrested in connection to his alleged involvement in the abduction of a boy with albinism.
Popular videographer ‘Twice P’ has survived a serious car accident on Friday afternoon at a place near Phalula Trading Center in Balaka district.
Twice P alongside his friends were on their way from Lilongwe to Blantyre on a business trip
According to eye witnesses, all the passengers in the vehicle escaped with no injuries.
Twice P is one of the current most sought after videographers in the country, having worked with popular artists like Driemo, Skeffa Chimoto and Miracle Chinga.
