By Sheminah Nkhoma

Lilongwe, January 24, Mana: Government has expressed satisfaction with Independent power producers (IPPs) as they are at the center of improving livelihoods and achieving Malawi’s 2063 vision in the energy sector.

In an interview with Malawi  News Agency ( MANA) , Spokesperson for Ministry of Energy, Austin Theu highlighted the importance of IPPs  saying they bring much-needed investment, innovation and expertise to expand the generation capacity, diversify energy sources and improve energy access.

He said by 2030, Malawi's estimated electricity demand is projected to reach approximately 774MW, while the expected generation capacity for the same year is forecasted to be around 1,500MW; this significant surplus in generation capacity creates an ideal opportunity for power exports, which could provide a new revenue stream and foreign exchange earnings for the country.

“The power sector in Malawi is getting interconnected, digitalised and decentralised. This complements government efforts and accelerate the transition towards sustainable energy sector helping the country to move towards the energy goal,” he said.

Theu further articulated that IPPs’ investment in  renewable energy projects help to diversify the energy mix and ensure supply resilience against climate-related disruptions.

“IPPs are playing a pivotal role in bridging the gap between demand and supply of electricity, reducing load shedding and enabling the electrification of more areas, “ he stated.

In his remarks, an energy expert, Grain Malunga has urged government to increase energy investment to meet energy demand in the country.

“Reaching the energy target capacity government alone or Electricity Supply Cooperation of Malawi (ESCOM) can not meet so it is important for the IPPs to be given a room to be investing in the energy sector,” said Malunga.

Currently, Malawi has three operational IPPs such as Mulanje Hydro Limited with 8.2MW from hydropower; JCM Matswani with 60MW from solar in Salima and 20MW from solar energy with battery storage in Golomoti; and Serengeti Solar in Nkhotakota with 21MW.

By Steve Chirombo

Dedza, January 25, Mana: Dedza District Council Community Development Officer, Thanira Gondwe, has commended partners who were implementing a two-year Financial Access for Rural Markets, Smallholders and Enterprise (FARMSE) programme for positively uplifting lives of some communities in the district.

Among other things, the Implementing Partners (IPs) implemented several programmes under Community-Based Financial Support, thereby promoting Village Saving Loans groups and other forms of community-based financial organizations.

The programme also had a third component under innovative outreach activity where FARMSE reached out to formal financial institutions through agency banking and linkage of the financial institutions to the Community Based Financial Organizations (CBFOs) and other rural inhabitants where they would not normally reach in their normal business.

Gondwe said on Friday, at the end of the review meeting with the district IPs, that the session was a wake-up call to what’s happening on the ground.

“And looking at what they have presented; it clearly shows that they have done a lot of work on the ground about VSL groups.

“The most important thing that I have also seen is that these people have been on the ground capacitating the groups on the savings and also telling them the importance of starting small businesses, which would help assist the communities in developing economically,” said Gondwe.

According to Gondwe, the savings and how much the members shared by the end of the year demonstrated that people’s livelihoods have significantly changed.

“You know these people are complementing the government’s efforts. Of course, we are already doing it but then they came in with more resources which made us reach out to more groups. We will continue to encourage the beneficiaries to work on those groups and also to continue doing the small-scale businesses because a lot of them have benefited from the initiative,” he pointed out.

On his part, Brown Phulusa, FARMSE District Coordinating Officer, said he is impressed with the outcome of the review meeting.

“Looking at all activities I am impressed because when you look at a sampled number of households under ultra-poor graduation most of them have moved within a short period having received their seed money and currently most of them have three times what they got.

“Their livelihoods have changed.  They have got a lot of productive assets. So, I would say by combining seed capital with technical expertise many lives would change,” indicated Phulusa.

According to Phulusa, the three major operative components of the programme have greatly improved the lives of the targeted communities, citing numerous savings and shares under the CBFOs' support, the ultra-poor graduations, and the placement of agents either under FDH or NBS in every corner of the district under the innovative component, where people are no longer travelling long distances to get banking services as expected by the programme.

“It is impressive to see communities having a lot of productive assets which have seen their lives greatly improved and this has also brought in some capacity building where they are producing more in the agriculture sector ensuring their food and nutrition capacity,” said Phulusa.

Some of the partners who participated in implementing the programme include the African Institute of Corporate Citizenship (AICC), Action Aid Malawi, FINCOOP, FDH, and NBS banks.

FARMSE is a government of Malawi programme housed under the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs.

It is being implemented in all 28 districts through some NGOs, private implementing partners and departments as well as agencies.

By Solister Mogha

Zomba, January 26, Mana: Zomba District Council has pegged its 2025/2026 budget at MK47.2 billion from MK35.4 billion in the 2024/25 fiscal year.

Presenting the budget during a budget review and hearing session in Blantyre, Director of Finance, Ellen Kayira said the increase is as a result of expected enhanced disbursements from projects such as the Regional Climate and Resilient Project (RCRP), Constituency Development Fund (CDF) and the Social Support for Resilient Livelihoods Project (SSRLP).

In addition, Kayira said an increase in the budget is also due to an increase in personal emoluments.

“If you check our budget, you will see that a fair share is also under personal emoluments which are taking a substantial percentage,” she said.

According to the Director, out of the total budget, MK2.6 billion is for Other Recurrent Transactions (ORT) MK1.8 billion is Constituency Development Fund (CDF) MK1.42billion GESD, MK1.1 billion for hospital rehabilitations and MK5.3 billion for Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme (CSEPWP) under the SSRLP.

On local revenue generation, Kayira said the council has under budgeted from MK274 million last year to MK259 million, adding that there were some areas that the council needed to work on enhancing effectiveness and efficiency in revenue mobilization.

“We are supposed to collect revenue in estates but we don't have bylaws that allow us do that. Additionally, the council is supposed to construct toilets and market shades for it to easily collect revenue in markets,” she said.

NLGFC Budget Analyst, Yohanne Nyanja hailed the council for what he described as a detailed budget, saying the council should work more on revenue generation avenues.

However, this is a proposed budget, which awaits final ceilings from the NLGFC and approval by Zomba full council.

By Dex Mpando

Zomba, January 25, Mana:  Business people in Zomba have expressed satisfaction with Digital Financial Services (DFS), which the Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) is encouraging as means of modern and convenient transaction.

Speaking on Thursday during DFS awareness, Anthony Phiri who is butcher at Mpunga Market said DFS was a way to go in the modern digital era.

Phiri said he enjoyed receiving payments from customers instantly through mobile money transfer, adding this proved convenient and safer than transacting through direct cash payments.

“This is a good development. I urge the Reserve Bank of Malawi to continue raising DFS awareness so that this should be fully adopted by many people,” he added.

Another business person, Andrea Bwanali, a barber said many of his customers prefer paying through mobile money or bank, describing DFS as very easy and safe.

“DFS made it easier for me to manage my finances. It has also helped me to save and invest for the future,” said Bwanali who was flanked by other business people that praised the DFS.

DFS Team Leader, Paul Nthala said RBM was impressed with the rate at which people were adopting DFS across Malawi.

“We will continue to promote DFS to ensure it remains secure, reliable and accessible to all the people in Zomba and other areas,” Nthala added.

RBM had already visited many areas in Malawi raising DFS awareness stating its advantages over old ways of business transacting.  

By Solister Mogha

Zomba, January 25, Mana: Executive Director for the National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC), Dr. Kondwani Santhe has advised councils in the local authorities to complete Government to Enable Service Delivery (GESD) funded projects to qualify for other funding.

Dr. Santhe made the appeal on Friday at Mount Soche Hotel in Blantyre during a budget review and hearing session as Zomba and other councils took their turns to present their budgets before the NLGFC.

He therefore emphasized that no council will receive funding if it fails to complete any GESD projects proposed for the 2024/25 financial year.

“You have no excuse for failing to implementing projects. We don't want to hear issues of delayed funding,” he added while advising the councils to ensure that all completed projects are in use to meet citizens’ development aspirations.

Dr. Santhe also advised councils to comply with project guidelines, warning local authorities that they should not be tempted to go against set guidelines and standards.

He said NLGFC will continue monitoring how councils adhere to polices, guidelines and standards, saying failure to abide by these would result in less or no funding.

District Commissioner for Zomba, Reinghard Chavula assured NLGFC that the district will complete all the projects in time to receive the next GESD funding.

In the 2024/25 financial year, Zomba was allocated MK682.1 billion GESD funds.

The NLGFC organized councils' budget review meetings to ensure well-prepared and responsive budgets.

By Patience Longwe

Lilongwe, January 24, Mana: Kawale traffic police officers on Thursday impounded 40 motor vehicles for contravening various road traffic regulations.

Speaking with Malawi News Agency, Public Relations Officer for Kawale Police Station, Sub-Inspector Precious Mabvuto Phiri, said the station’s traffic officer, Assistant Superintendent Suezen Kamgwao, led the team in the operation within the road network of Kawale.

“Motorists who attempted to defeat the operation by using uncharted routes were equally intercepted by traffic riders who were on the assignment," he said.

During the operation, traffic officers patronized Chidzanja, Mchesi and the road that connects to Kamuzu Institute and Area 24, where motorists have been booked for offences like exceeding seating capacity, worn-out tyres and driving without valid permits, just to mention a few.

Minibuses and saloon vehicles that are used for conveyance of passengers for business purposes were targeted.

This is a continuation of the festive season exercise, which has seen the station reducing the number of road accidents by 25%.

By Majona Jabesi

Mchinji, January 24, Mana: Malawi Bureau of Standards (MBS) has warned consumers and business owners across the country regarding the influx of unidentified and smuggled products on the market.

The warning comes after the bureau shut down Dalitso General Supplies Shop located at Mchinji Boma for selling fertiliser that failed to provide labelling details of a manufacturing company and stocking fertiliser in a leaking warehouse.

The bureau, which is responsible for the quality and safety of products sold to consumers in Malawi, emphasised that proper labelling is crucial not only for consumer safety but also for tracking the origin of products in case of defects or recalls.

According to MBS Communication Officer Wazamazama Katatu, the absence of clear manufacturing details undermines the ability of the bureau to monitor the quality and authenticity of the product.

“Dalitso General Supplies has been closed for stocking fertilisers that had lacked some labelling details as per Malawi Standard Number 3 which provides guidelines on how labelling needs to be done on the products.

“At the same time, the warehouse where fertilisers were being kept is also not friendly because it is heavily leaking as you might have noticed moisture on the other side of the warehouse,” Katatu said.

Mama’s Shoprite Manager, Abdul Rahman Chapunga, whose shop was also closed for an hour, applauded the bureau for the inspection and challenged MBS officials that he would cooperate with the bureau by ensuring that all products being sold are fully meeting the required standards.

“I can challenge you that you can come any time and you will never find these problems again. We have cleaned our fridge which is ready for use now,” Chapunga said.

Among others, MBS officials expressed concern over the growing number of counterfeit and unauthorised products that are brought in through uncharted routes and smuggling.

Following the MBS market surveillance in Mchinji, 11 shops were temporarily closed for an hour for hygiene issues while Dalitso General Supplies remained closed until the products complied with the bureau’s standards.           

By Brighton Chimsinde

Mchinji, January 24, Mana: Minister of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare Jean Sendeza has condemned the tendency to abuse orphans and vulnerable children, which takes place in some orphanages in the country.

Sendeza made the remarks on Wednesday when she visited Home of Hope Orphanage in the area of Chief Nyoka in Mchinji District.

The minister said her office has received reports that orphans and vulnerable children are being abused in other orphanages, which is contrary to laws of the country.

“Orphan centres that are doing such malpractices will face the law because it is inhumane and contrary to the laws of a democratic country like Malawi,” Sendeza said.

However, the minister commended Home of Hope Orphanage Centre for offering holistic support to the children at the centre.

“It is very encouraging that the centre is providing food and accommodation, and on top of that it is also providing nursery, primary, secondary, and vocational training to them. The approach is in line with Malawi’s Vision 2063 which stresses human capital development,” she said.

On the issue of inadequate resources at the vocational centre, she assured that her ministry would liaise with the Ministry of Labour to see how best they can support them to produce reliable products.

We appreciate that the institution has a technical college that imparts technical skills to needy children for them to be self-reliant. But resources are very limited; therefore, I will make everything possible to discuss with my fellow Minister of Labour to provide them with the necessary support in terms of instructors' salaries and equipment support,” she said.

Responding to food shortage at the centre, she assured that her ministry, in collaboration with the Department of Disaster Management (DoDMA), would intervene.

The founder of the institution, Rev. Thomson John Chipeta, who is aged 96, described the minister’s visit as very important.

“The institution has over 650 children, so the minister’s visit is very paramount because she has come and seen for herself what Home of Hope is. Someone said seeing is believing," said Rev Chipeta.  

Rev Chipeta also appealed to other line ministries and non-governmental organizations to give support to the institution with materials and monetary support for it to sustain the agenda of relieving sufferings of the orphans and vulnerable children.

"We do farming but we do not produce enough. We are requesting support in the form of cash or materially for us to feed and educate them accordingly for them to be self-reliant and productive citizens to the country’s development in the future,” Chipeta said. 

Mchinji District Council Chairperson Dorothy Mussah thanked the minister for sparing her time to visit the centre, saying the visit is a motivation to the institution and the council.

According to Rev Chipeta, Home of Hope was founded in 1998 with only K100.