The Ministry of Agriculture has launched the National Agriculture Extension and Advisory Services Policy (2025-2030), a significant step towards promoting and strengthening quality and inclusive agriculture extension and advisory services in the country.
The policy’s launch coincided with the end of the 7th Africa-Wide Agricultural Extension Week (AAEW) 2025, a biannual continental event held for the first time in Malawi.
The policy aims to empower farmers with knowledge and innovative extension services, enabling them to achieve agricultural commercialization and industrialization as envisioned in the Malawi 2063.
Minister of Agriculture Sam Kawale emphasized the policy’s importance in guiding key stakeholders in the provision of extension services that cater to the needs of farmers.
The policy’s launch was met with enthusiasm from various stakeholders, including the Farmers Union of Malawi (FUM) and the Civil Society Agriculture Network (CSAN).
FUM Executive Director Jacob Nyirongo stressed the need for collaboration and extension advisory services tailored to the specific needs and demands of farmers. CSAN National Director Elizabeth Namaona pledged the Network’s support to ensure the policy’s full implementation, describing it as transformative and responsive to the needs of farmers.
The 7th AAEW, which commenced on May 12, brought together policymakers, researchers, extension professionals, farmers, and development partners to discuss topics such as gender-responsive agricultural extension and agroecology.
The event highlighted the importance of inclusive and sustainable practices in agricultural development.
The new policy is expected to have a significant impact on Malawi’s agricultural sector, which is a key driver of the country’s economy. By providing farmers with access to quality extension services, the policy aims to increase agricultural productivity and promote sustainable food systems.
The policy’s focus on inclusivity and responsiveness to farmers’ needs is expected to benefit smallholder farmers, who are the backbone of Malawi’s agricultural sector.
The launch of the policy is a testament to the government’s commitment to transforming the agricultural sector and achieving the goals outlined in the Malawi 2063.
The policy’s success will depend on the effective implementation and collaboration among stakeholders, including government agencies, farmers’ organizations, and development partners.
As Malawi takes a leap forward in agriculture with this new policy, it is expected that the country will see significant improvements in agricultural productivity and food security.
The policy’s emphasis on innovation, inclusivity, and sustainability is expected to benefit not only farmers but also the broader economy and society.
The launch of the National Agriculture Extension and Advisory Services Policy (2025-2030) marks a significant milestone in Malawi’s agricultural development.
With the support of stakeholders and effective implementation, the policy is expected to transform the agricultural sector and contribute to the country’s economic growth and development.
Melinda French Gates is stepping into a new chapter of her life with grace, confidence, and renewed happiness.
The businesswoman and philanthropist has revealed details about her evolving personal life following her divorce from Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates.
After enduring what she has described as a difficult separation, Melinda is now in a relationship that she says brings her joy and clarity.
Melinda Gates with new love Phillip Vaughn
Her new partner, Philip Vaughn, has been seen publicly with her on several occasions, including a recent moment when the couple was photographed walking hand-in-hand through the streets of New York City.
This visible affection is just one reflection of the contentment she now feels.
Speaking on ‘The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,’ Melinda opened up about how her life has transformed post-divorce.
With a genuine smile, she shared that she has found happiness again in love.
When host Stephen Colbert congratulated her on her new romance, she responded simply but warmly: “Thank you!”
She added that life with Philip has been “pretty great,” suggesting that this relationship has brought meaningful fulfillment to her journey.
In recent interviews, Melinda has described her divorce as “necessary,” emphasizing the importance of personal growth and emotional well-being.
Now, she appears to be living more fully—rooted in clarity, self-empowerment, and love.
This new chapter for Melinda Gates not only marks a personal transformation but also signals a future driven by optimism, resilience, and the courage to find joy again.
The Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) and the National Youth Council of Malawi have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to accelerate digital transformation among the country’s youth.
This partnership aims to equip young people with relevant technological skills, promoting sustainable development and digital literacy.
MACRA Director General Daudi Sulemani emphasized the initiative’s potential to expand digital access and literacy among youth nationwide.
Suleman
He reaffirmed MACRA’s commitment to empowering young Malawians with the skills needed to thrive in a digital world.
National Youth Council Executive Director Rex Chapota highlighted the MOU’s significance in reimagining Malawi’s future by empowering its youth.
The partnership will provide young innovators with tools, resources, and mentorship to excel in the digital landscape. By connecting youth with technologies and platforms, the initiative will amplify their creativity, productivity, and access to markets.
Ken B Wazakena, a prominent figure in Malawi’s entertainment industry, has made a heartfelt appeal for assistance to further his education at a technical college.
Despite his success as a manager, Ken B cites his low education level as a significant obstacle in his career, hindering his ability to reach his full potential.
Ken B’s journey has not been without challenges. As a young manager, he had to drop out of school to support his single mother, sacrificing his own educational aspirations.
Ken B Wazakena
Now, as a 23-year-old husband and father, Ken B is determined to improve his life and career prospects by acquiring technical skills.
The entertainment manager’s plea for support raises important questions about the value of education and the need for opportunities that can help talented individuals like Ken B Wazakena succeed.
Ken B hopes to overcome the limitations imposed by his current education level and take his career to new heights.
Ken B’s story serves as a reminder that education is a fundamental right that can empower individuals to achieve their goals and make meaningful contributions to their communities.
What was supposed to be an ‘innocent’ Industrial Relations Court (IRC) ruling in a case involving conglomerate Press Corporation Limited (PCL) and three of its former executives has opened a ‘Pandoras box’ on some of the ‘suspicious payments’ the conglomerate has been making lately.
A shareholder of the company who claimed to have gone through the ruling ‘several times to make sense of it’ claims there is ‘something that the company is doing which is not right’.
“We will need answers during our Annual General Meeting (AGM) this year because the ruling has unearthed things we did not know about. We would like to know how the three bosses were fired unfairly and why we are losing K14 billion of our money while the people who made this decision (to fire the three) are still enjoying benefits at PCL,” said the Shareholder who pleaded for anonymity until the day of the AGM.
In the case, former Group Chief Executive Officer George Partridge, Former Group Financial Controller Elizabeth Mafeni and former Group Administrative Executive and General Counsel Benard Ndau sued the conglomerate for unfair dismissal through the IRC which ruled in their favour before the trio sued again for compensation for unfair dismissal in May 2022.
The three lodged a whopping K33 billion compensation claim but the court awarded them a total of K14 billion on April 25, 2025.
PCL applied to the court for a stay of execution of the order of compensation citing a negative cashflow projection which could reach K21 billion by December this year, according to testimony of PCL’s Chief Finance and Administration Executive and Company Secretary, Moureen Mbeye.
IRC Deputy Chairperson Tamanda Nyimba allowed the stay of execution on condition that PCL pays 70% of the awards to the three which translates to K9.7 billion.
Two weeks ago, PCL published its financial highlights in the press where it announced a whopping K122 billion profit after tax in the financial year ending 31 December 2024.
Going through the ruling, Nyimba wondered with assertions that the financial health of PCL is critically strained with significant liabilities and negative cashflow projections.
“In a nutshell, through the affidavit evidence of Ms Mbeye, the respondent has painted a really gloomy picture of its financial position with a cash position that is projected to be negative for the rest of the year and an estimated December 2025 negative cash balance of MK7.4 billion before taking into account the sums awarded to the applicants. The respondent says the figure of K7.4 billion is expected to swell to MK21.5 billion if the applicants’ global award of compensation is factored in for immediate payment.”
“Ms Mbeye went on to draw this Court’s attention to the respondent’s unavoidable commitments (over and above its normal operational requirements) namely a payment of MK1,147,300,000 disbursed to National Bank of Malawi plc (a subsidiary of the respondent) on 30th April 2025 in respect of a loan extended to Open Connect Limited (also a subsidiary of the respondent) in which transaction the respondent acted as a guarantor and where National Bank of Malawi plc proceeded to demand payment from the respondent upon Open Connect Limited’s debt becoming delinquent and an obligation taken by the respondent to capitalise Telekom Networks Malawi plc (equally a subsidiary of the respondent) by injecting equity amounting to MK16.4 billion.”
“My candid observation is that the respondent is unconscionably continuing to bury its corporate head in the sand, as it were, with regard to the consequences of its actions when it unfairly dismissed the applicants hence the visible absence in Ms Mbeye’s two affidavits of any hint regarding how or when the respondent plans to pay the applicants’ awards of compensation.”
“If the respondent’s two affidavits in support of the instant application are anything to go by, the respondent seems to be in denial respecting this Court’s decisions finding it liable for the applicants’ unfair dismissal and the compensation thereof while it relentlessly highlights its present tight financial spot,” said Nyimba in his ruling.
“While the respondent has passionately pleaded before this Court that its coffers are essentially empty, the respondent readily made the following payments from its bank accounts to various entities: On 12th December 2024, the respondent made payment from its foreign currency denominated account in the sum of US$504,000.00 to Liberia Merchant Capital Limited in respect of acquisition of 10% shareholding in that company.”
“On 27th December 2024, the respondent made payment from its foreign currency denominated account in the sum of US$260,000.00 to Fortesa International Inc. in respect of part payment for hydrocarbon exploration and production investment in that company and on 13th January 2025, the respondent made payment from its foreign currency denominated account in the sum of US$6,700,000.00 to Press Energy Limited towards its equity contribution in that company.”
“On 24th January 2025, the respondent transferred a total sum of MK4 billion to its subsidiary, Telekom Networks Malawi plc and on 6th February 2025, the respondent made payment from its foreign currency denominated account in the sum of US$250,000.00 to Fortesa International Inc. in respect of final payment for hydrocarbon exploration and production investment in that company.”
“On 30th April 2025, the respondent disbursed MK1,147,300,000 to its subsidiary National Bank of Malawi plc in respect of a loan extended to Open Connect Limited (also a subsidiary of the respondent) in which transaction the respondent acted as a guarantor. The disbursements were made over a period this matter was live in this Court and the respondent was aware of its subjection to the applicants’ MK33 billion proposed award of compensation for unfair dismissal,” said Nyimba in the ruling.
“This fact was admitted by Ms Mbeye when she was cross-examined by Counsel for the applicants during hearing of the instant application. The disbursement to National Bank was made on 30th April 2025 and this was barely 5 days after this Court rendered its order on assessment. Furthermore, the respondent is imminently expected to inject equity amounting to MK16.4 billion per its obligation to capitalise its subsidiary Telekom Networks Malawi plc.”
“Honestly, how can a Court grant a complete stay of execution in light of the foregoing flurry of expenditures? These very payments prompted the applicants to submit that it is almost like the respondent is saying it has finances available but the said money is exclusively good enough for the respondent’s further investments into its various business ventures as opposed to paying the applicants’ fruits of their litigation. That submission certainly has traction in the circumstances just laid bare. The respondent may really easily be accused of corporate condescension,” ruled Nyimba.
He said even in its gloomy financial position, PCL has demonstrated that it is able to make certain substantial payments only that the three ex-bosses appear not to be in the contemplation PCL’s or its priority.
Nyimba also bashed PCL in its delaying tactics of the case.
“This matter was commenced way back in May 2022. It may not even have reached the stage we are at had this Court not declined some interlocutory applications. First, at the beginning of the trial on assessment of compensation, the respondent moved this Court at the eleventh hour seeking a record of the proceedings vis-à-vis the trial on liability to be made available to the respondent to assist it prepare for trial on assessment of compensation. It was further stated that this would equally help this Court arrive at a just and equitable award as, through the said transcript, there would be an appreciation of what all the witnesses actually said during the trial.”
“Admittedly, it was my first time to come across such an unprecedented application and I respectfully declined it for its sure propensity to delay progress of the matter since considering the testimonies covered in the trial on liability, generation of a trial transcript would have been a task that would have consumed or lasted some time and that would have been a step too far at that stage of the proceedings not least when legal practitioners are expected to build their own notes as a trial is in motion. If I had granted the prayer, lord knows how long the pause would have been to transcribe the record of proceedings.”
“The second request from the respondent on that very occasion was for an adjournment to enable the physical presence of all the applicants to be cross-examined one after another. The background to that request was that when the assessment hearing was initially scheduled, the respondent asked that it be moved forward in terms of dates and this happened twice. On both occasions this Court obliged but the change in dates clashed with the activities of the 1st applicant (Ndau) who would be outside the country.”
“It was thus mutually agreed by the parties and endorsed by this Court that the 1st applicant would be cross-examined virtually only for the respondent to ask for the matter to be stood over on the very day the Court reconvened with the reason being that the respondent needed the physical presence of the 1st applicant to be cross-examined alongside the rest of the applicants in sequence.”
“Having previously conducted several virtual trials, I again declined the respondent’s prayer and ruled that the 1st applicant would be cross-examined remotely. Thus, cross-examination proceeded with the 2nd and 3rd applicants (Mafeni and Partridge) after which the respondent informed this Court that going by the evidence that had been elicited from the 2nd and 3rd applicants, the respondent would not be cross-examining the 1st applicant at all.”
“This meant that had this Court allowed the prayer for adjournment to permit the physical presence of the 1st applicant, the same would have been pointless and a waste of the not inexhaustible commodity of judicial time as the 1st applicant would not have been cross-examined in any event.”
“I have brought the foregoing to the fore merely to give emphasis to the aspect of delay the applicants were going to be subjected to and the delay the applicants would now potentially experience if they were to be kept longer waiting to access the fruits of their win.”
“Realistically, the waiting period is up until disposal of the respondent’s appeal in the High Court or further up in the Supreme Court of Appeal. In that regard, the exposure of the applicants’ awards to inflationary pressures and devaluation of the kwacha is enormously real. Going by the prevailing economic trends, the economy could progressively worsen due to factors which simply turn out differently from the way they seem now. Nothing can be guaranteed,” said Nyimba in his ruling.
Another case involving PCL and Rolf Patel over equity in Press Cane took 20 years in the courts before an amicable settlement was reached in October 2023.
