EDITORIAL | The Forum
For once, there seems to be agreement across the aisle. Malawi’s economy is in crisis, and fixing it will require everyone.
President Peter Mutharika, in his State of the Nation Address opening the 52nd Session of Parliament and Mid-Year Budget Review, did not sugarcoat the state of affairs. Inflation stands at 28.2 percent, forex is scarce, and public debt has exploded from MK4.1 trillion in 2020 to MK21.6 trillion in just five years. Shortages of fuel, fertilizer, and essential drugs have turned everyday life into a struggle.
“If we get the economy right, we get everything else right,” Mutharika said, promising good governance, zero tolerance for corruption, and empowerment of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) to prosecute cases without fear or favour.
For once, the message landed well. Governance and economic experts have welcomed his candour and focus. Dr. John Barker of Cambridge Governance Labs said Malawi’s turnaround depends on strengthening rule of law and governance literacy. “The formation of capital depends on good governance,” he said.
Elia Zulu of AFIDEP was more cautious. “The question is: what will happen in practice?” he asked. “Democracy is working, but the economy is not. That’s why poverty and joblessness persist.”
Even the UTM party, known not to pull punches, struck a cooperative tone. Party spokesperson and MP Felix Njawala agreed the situation demands joint effort. “People are suffering,” he said. “It requires collective and concerted action to get out of this mess.”
That acknowledgment from both opposition and experts is rare and welcome. But words will not support the economy. The real work lies in ending waste, depoliticizing the civil service, and creating space for the private sector, which drives jobs and growth.
Malawi’s challenges are deep-rooted, but so is its potential. Mutharika’s administration has a plan, Parliament has goodwill, and experts have offered guidance. What remains is the will and unity to act.
The president has called for all hands on deck. This time, everyone should take him at his word and pick up an oar!
