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FDH Bank positions Malawi for Global Mining Investment

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By Linda Kwanjana
 
FDH Bank Plc has positioned itself as a strategic bridge between global capital and Malawi’s extractive potential following its participation in the 2026 Investing in African Mining Indaba in Cape Town, South Africa.
 
Representing the bank were Head of Corporate and Institutional Banking, Kawawa Msapato, and Head of Personal and Business Banking, Daniel Pinto Khamula, who engaged with global investors and stakeholders to position Malawi as an emerging investment destination within Africa’s extractives sector.

Msapato (left) and Khamula at the conference


 
Speaking with the media, Msapato said the delegation’s presence was strategic and aligned with Malawi’s broader development agenda.
 
“We are proud to have been on the ground at this year’s Investing in African Mining Indaba, representing Malawi’s vibrant financial sector on the continental stage. Our focus is on attracting global capital, aligning with Malawi’s national development vision, and facilitating meaningful knowledge exchange,” said Msapato.
 
He added that sustainable economic transformation requires bold partnerships and investment-ready ecosystems.
 
“As a homegrown bank, we are committed to being more than just a financial institution. We see ourselves as a catalyst for the growth of Malawi’s extractives sector. By bridging the gap between potential and prosperity, we are helping to build a resilient and diversified economy for all,” said Msapato.
 
The broader tone of the conference was set by keynote speaker Duncan Wanblad, Chief Executive Officer of Anglo American, who reflected on the evolving global landscape and the growing responsibility of the mining sector.
 
“We are operating in a world of greater geopolitical complexity and rising demand for critical minerals. In this environment, mining has moved firmly into focus, not only as a supplier of essential materials, but as a sector that can act as a champion for human progress,” said, Wanblad.
 
The themes of partnership, infrastructure development and sustainable growth resonated strongly with FDH Bank’s engagement at the Indaba, reinforcing the critical role financial institutions play in unlocking investment and supporting national development ambitions.
 
Through participation in high-level continental platforms, FDH Bank Plc continues to position itself as a strategic partner in advancing Malawi’s mining potential and building a resilient, diversified economy.
 
The Investing in African Mining Indaba is one of the continent’s premier mining investment conferences, bringing together global mining companies, financiers, policymakers and industry experts to shape the future of Africa’s extractives sector.
 
Held annually in Cape Town, South Africa, for more than 30 years the platform serves as a strategic meeting point for deal-making, policy dialogue and partnership-building aimed at unlocking sustainable mineral development across Africa.

UTM Supporters Accuse DPP of Exploiting Chilima’s Death for Votes

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By Durell Namasani

Tension is mounting within the ranks of the UTM as party supporters express outrage over the Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) silence regarding the establishment of a new commission of enquiry into the death of former Vice President Saulos Chilima. Loyalists of the late leader are accusing the DPP of exploiting Chilima’s name and memory for political gain during the last electoral cycle, only to abandon the cause now that the votes have been cast.

Supporters are particularly incensed by what they perceive as hollow promises made by DPP President Peter Mutharika. They allege that the party used the tragedy to garner sympathy and secure votes, yet has remained conspicuously quiet on pushing for a fresh probe into the fatal plane crash. One furious supporter voiced the deep-seated anger within the party’s base. “Inali show yofuna mavuto? Inali kanena chabe!!” She fumed, accusing the DPP of hypocrisy.

Speaker Suleman  at Chikangawa



The sentiment on the ground suggests a growing disillusionment, with backers feeling used and discarded. “Using someone’s death for their gain but God the creator who created heaven and earth is not sleeping nor slumber!!! He’s not a man like you lot that he will lie,” the supporter warned, suggesting divine retribution for political duplicity. Another questioned the DPP’s sudden inaction, asking, “Kunyamuka mmakwawo kupita ulendo wautali kungofuna kutamika awoneke ngati anthu abwino?” expressing a belief that change is imminent.

The frustration has reached a boiling point, with comparisons being drawn between the current administration and the previous regime they helped oust. “Ine sindiopa kumena chilungamo!!! You guys are the same as the ones we booted out!! Im sorry we are not going to paint you with a different colour red yomweyo yamagazi!!!” the supporter declared, signaling a potential fracture in the political alliance as demands for justice for Chilima grow louder.

Chilobwe United Turns to Environmental Action to Safeguard Soche Mountain

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By Rahim Abdul

As climate change continues to threaten communities in southern Malawi, Chilobwe United Club has shifted the spotlight from football to environmental restoration, intensifying efforts to protect Soche Mountain.

Through its initiative known as Chilobwe United Forest under the “Restoring Soche Mountain” programme, the club is urging Malawians to take responsibility for conserving the environment in their respective areas as a practical way of reducing the impacts of climate change.

Club representatives Julio Chimbuzi and Apatsa Galagade made the appeal as the team prepares to plant 1,300 trees on February 21, 2026, on Soche Mountain. The initiative forms part of a broader campaign aimed at rebuilding degraded forest cover.

Julio Chimbuzi and Apatsa Galagade



Chimbuzi said their 2025 tree-planting exercise yielded encouraging results, with 80 percent of the trees planted surviving due to proper planting techniques and consistent aftercare.

According to him, the success rate demonstrates that environmental restoration is not just about planting trees, but about ensuring they are nurtured until they mature.

He expressed concern, however, that many tree-planting efforts fail because people neglect the trees after planting them, leading to high mortality rates and wasted resources.

Galagade, on his part, called on government authorities to collaborate with and support community groups that are actively involved in environmental restoration initiatives.

He stressed that partnerships between authorities and grassroots organisations are essential if Malawi is to achieve meaningful progress in combating deforestation and climate related disasters.

The importance of restoring Soche Mountain became even more evident in 2023 when communities surrounding the area, particularly in Chilobwe, suffered devastating consequences from Cyclone Freddy.

The cyclone, one of the most destructive weather systems to hit southern Africa, left more than 5,000 people homeless in parts of Blantyre, claimed lives, and destroyed property worth millions.

Residents of Chilobwe were among the hardest hit, highlighting the vulnerability of settlements located near degraded hills and deforested areas.

Against this backdrop, Chilobwe United Football Club now plans to plant a total of 1,400 trees during this year’s planting season, which runs until April, reinforcing its commitment to long term environmental recovery.

Through this initiative, the club is proving that sports institutions can play a transformative role beyond the pitch  becoming champions of environmental sustainability and community resilience.

Malawi U-20 Women March On After Dominant Victory in Lilongwe

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By Rahim Abdul

Malawi’s Under-20 Women’s National Team delivered a commanding performance to book their place in the next round of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers after a resounding 5-1 victory over Guinea-Bissau at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.

The young Scorchers showcased confidence, composure and attacking brilliance as they overwhelmed their opponents in front of an energetic home crowd. From the first whistle, Malawi signaled their intent to finish the job in style.



Star forward Fatima Lali stole the spotlight with a clinical brace, underlining her importance to the team’s attacking force.

Her sharp movements and precise finishing proved too much for the visitors to handle.

Additional goals came from Alinafe Milanzi, Victoria Mkwala and Mayamiko Mkandawire, each adding their name to the scoresheet in a display that reflected teamwork and depth in the squad.

The emphatic home win ensured Malawi progressed with a 6-2 aggregate score over the two legs. The first encounter in Guinea-Bissau had ended in a 1-1 draw, leaving everything to play for in the return fixture.

Backed by home support at Bingu National Stadium, the Malawian side looked more confident and organized, turning the tie decisively in their favour with disciplined defending and ruthless finishing.

Head coach Maggie Chombo Sadik will be proud of how her charges managed the pressure, especially after the balanced result in the first leg. The team showed maturity beyond their years.

The midfield dictated the tempo of the match, creating scoring opportunities while ensuring Guinea-Bissau had limited space to build momentum. It was a complete team performance from defense to attack.

The victory not only highlights Malawi’s growing strength in women’s football but also signals the rise of a promising generation ready to compete on the continental stage.

With momentum firmly on their side, Malawi now shifts focus to the next hurdle in the qualifiers, where they will face either Nigeria or Senegal.

A potential clash against Nigeria would be a stern test given their pedigree in women’s football, while Senegal would also present a formidable challenge.
Regardless of the opponent, Malawi’s U-20 women have already made a bold statement.

Their dominant display in Lilongwe serves as proof that the future of Malawian women’s football is bright and full of promise.

Muluzi calls for structural reforms to revive Malawi’s economy

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By Chisomo Phiri

President of the United Democratic Front (UDF),Atupele Muluzi,has called on Malawians to focus on structural reforms rather than short-term fixes, saying the country’s challenges are rooted in systemic failure.

In an interview with 247 Malawi News, Muluzi said Malawi does not have a shortage of speeches but rather a shortage of structural reform.

He highlighted several persistent national challenges, including inflation above 30 percent, ongoing foreign exchange shortages, recurring food insecurity, and frequent corruption scandals, saying these are not accidents but predictable results of a system that has not been fundamentally reformed.

Atupele Muluzi



Muluzi said the past attempts to fix Malawi through subsidies, new programmes, and political promises have failed because the underlying system continues to falter.

He said the country must now move from managing decline to engineering national renewal, with a clear focus on fixing the system through full digitisation of public procurement, real-time expenditure tracking, performance contracts for senior officials, and faster corruption prosecutions.

He also stressed the need to build productive capacity through initiatives such as a National Solar Irrigation Grid, mega-farm commercial clusters, strategic mineral development, and increased domestic value addition.

In addition, Muluzi emphasized investing in the future by expanding fibre-optic access to every district, establishing remote work hubs for young people, and reforming Technical, Entrepreneurial and Vocational Education and Training (TEVET ) to support mining, energy, and digital skills development.

He said Malawians are not looking for louder criticism but rather a government that works, an economy that produces, and institutions they can trust.

Muluzi concluded by urging immediate action, saying the country can either continue with business as usual or undertake structural reforms that will unlock Malawi’s potential.

He said he chooses reform, production, and a capable Malawian state, adding that the time to begin is now.