As xenophobic tensions rise in South Africa, Malawi’s priority should be creating opportunities that keep young people at home. That means ensuring MEDF loans are distributed on merit, free from political interference, and accessible to all citizens regardless of party, region or ethnicity.

EDITORIAL | The Forum

The growing hostility towards African migrants in South Africa should be a wake-up call for Malawi. While the immediate concern is the safety and dignity of Malawians living and working there, the deeper question is why so many of our young people continue to leave home in search of opportunities elsewhere.

Reports of vigilante groups targeting foreigners and demanding that they leave South Africa are deeply troubling. No one should be subjected to threats, intimidation or violence simply because they were born in another country. Malawi, together with other African nations, must continue to condemn xenophobia in all its forms and demand that the rights of migrants are protected.

But condemnation alone is not enough.

Every year, thousands of young Malawians leave for South Africa because they see few prospects at home. They are not crossing borders for adventure. They are searching for jobs, income and a chance to build a future. Even those who are deported often return because the economic conditions that pushed them away remain unchanged.

This is where the Malawi Enterprise Development Fund (MEDF) can make a difference.

The fund’s ambitious plan to disburse billions of kwacha in loans to entrepreneurs, farmers, women and young people presents an opportunity to tackle one of the root causes of migration: the lack of economic opportunity. If properly managed, MEDF can help create businesses, generate jobs and give young Malawians reasons to stay and invest their talents at home rather than risking uncertain futures abroad.

However, this opportunity will be squandered if the mistakes of the past are repeated.

Previous empowerment programmes have too often been undermined by political interference. Loans intended for ordinary citizens ended up benefiting the politically connected, while repayment discipline weakened and public confidence evaporated. Such practices not only waste scarce resources but also deny deserving Malawians the support they need to succeed.

MEDF must therefore be administered on the basis of merit, transparency and accountability. Every Malawian should have an equal chance to access financing regardless of political affiliation, ethnicity, region, religion or personal connections. The only criteria should be the viability of the business idea and the applicant’s ability to put the funds to productive use.

Government must also move quickly to strengthen the legal framework governing MEDF. A development finance institution entrusted with public resources cannot remain vulnerable to political manipulation. Strong governance structures, independent oversight and regular public reporting are essential if the fund is to achieve its intended purpose.

The best response to xenophobia is not retaliation. It is building a Malawi where young people can find opportunities without feeling compelled to leave. It is creating an economy that rewards hard work, innovation and entrepreneurship. And it is ensuring that public institutions serve citizens rather than political interests.

The scenes unfolding in South Africa should remind us that national development is not an abstract policy goal. It is a matter of dignity, security and hope. If MEDF is protected from politics and managed in the interests of all Malawians, it can become part of the solution. The country owes its young people nothing less.

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Image above by Slusnic (Creative Commons)

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