Members of Timverane Club, a grouping of Tobacco farmers in the country, can now afford a smile after emerging winners of the FCB Kupha Makwacha Promotion grand prize.
The Club won a brand-new motorcycle through a grand draw the Bank conducted on Monday in Blantyre.
The promotion, which started in May and ended in August, targeted tobacco farmers across the country who bank with FCB as one way of supporting and developing tobacco farming.
Speaking after the final draw, FCB Marketing Manager Pachalo Stanley Chiyora said the Bank, as a strong supporter of farming in Malawi, introduced the promotion to assist tobacco farmers while contributing to the growth of the national economy.
“Tobacco farming is known as the backbone of Malawi’s economy, and as a Bank, we introduced this promotion to assist farmers in their day-to-day activities. It was a way of motivating them while also giving back to them as our valued customers,” said Chiyora.
He further emphasized that the Bank remains committed to providing better services to tobacco farmers and fostering continued development in the tobacco farming industry.
“We are happy with the level of participation we saw from farmers. Going forward, we will continue to support them and look into more ways to strengthen our partnership when we return next year,” said Chiyora.
The promotion also had 96 other winners who got various prizes including bicycles, bags of maize, K150,000 cash, and branded T-shirts.
The Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM) Limited has partnered with the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Malawi Chapter to unveil a new media award aimed at fighting the growing problem of electricity infrastructure vandalism in the country.
The initiative, dubbed the ‘ESCOM Anti-Vandalism Media Award’, aims to encourage in-depth and solution-oriented journalism on the effects of infrastructure vandalism on Malawi’s economic growth and public safety.
Set to begin on November 1 this year, the award will recognize outstanding reporting in Print, Electronic, and Online Media categories.
Each winner will walk away with a cash prize of K1 million, a move designed to both reward excellence and inspire sustained coverage of this pressing issue.
Speaking during the launch, Pilirani Phiri, ESCOM’s Chief Public Relations and Communications Officer, said the award showcases the corporation’s commitment to addressing vandalism through collaboration with the media.
“Vandalism of ESCOM infrastructure is not just a commercial challenge for us; it is a direct attack on Malawi’s future, causing blackouts that stall economic activity and disrupt critical services. This award is a powerful statement of our commitment to fighting this scourge and strengthening media partnerships as a foundation for national progress,” said Phiri.
Echoing the sentiment, Golden Matonga, Chairperson of MISA Malawi, hailed the partnership as a timely and strategic collaboration that empowers journalists to use their platforms for the public good.
“We are delighted to partner with ESCOM on this vital public interest initiative. The award recognizes the media’s indispensable role in public sensitization and accountability. It is a meaningful incentive for journalists to dedicate their skills to a subject of such national importance,’’ said Matonga.
According to the organizers, eligible stories will include those published or broadcast between November 1, 2025, and April 30, 2026.
Winners are set to be honoured during the annual MISA Malawi Media Awards ceremony in May 2026.
Both ESCOM and MISA Malawi have called on journalists and media houses across the country to take advantage of the competition period to explore and expose the root causes, consequences, and possible solutions to infrastructure vandalism.
Three ministers have officially been sworn today at Sanjika Palace in Blantyre following their recent appointment by President Peter Mutharika on October 5, 2025.
George Chaponda took the oath of office, oath of allegiance and Oath of Office as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Joseph Mwanamveka sworn in as Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Development, while Alfred Gangata assumed the position of Minister of State in the office of president.
Speaking after the swearing in of the three ministers, Mutharika said his mission is to address challenges left behind by the previous Malawi Congress Party administration.
“Our vision with the cabinet ministers is to build this country and make a government that serves people with no corruption. This is now a free country,” he said.
The president also addressed concerns over gender representation in his appointments.
“I receive comments that in my first partial appointments there are no women. I assure the people that our government will be diversified and inclusive. People just want to criticize APM all the time. Dont accuse me of gender insensitivity,” he added.
The swearing in at Sanjika Palace was administered by Director of Civil Litigation, Legislative Counsel in Ministry of Justice, Richard Santhe.
President Mutharika appointed the three ministers as first phase of ministerial appointments apart from two other appointments of Chief Secretary, Justin Saidi, Deputy Chief Secretary Stuart Ligomeka who also sworn in, taking their oaths of office and allegiance, committing to serve Malawi with total dedication.
Castel Malawi Limited has constructed new toilets worth K30 million at Namalimwe Primary School in Blantyre, restoring sanitation for over 1,000 learners who lost the facilities after Cyclone Freddy destroyed the old ones.
Speaking during the handover ceremony on Friday, Castel Malawi Human Resources and Corporate Affairs Director, Gloria Zimba, said the company was compelled to act after receiving an appeal from the school.
“As a company, we are deeply rooted in this community. Many of our employees live here, and their children attend these schools. Investing in sanitation and education is investing in our future workforce and leaders,” said Zimba.
Zimba said the project has provided separate toilet blocks for boys and girls, each with two functional toilets.
“The initiative is part of Castel Malawi’s ongoing commitment to the Ndirande community. The company has previously supported the area during Cyclone Freddy, donating items worth over K10 million to victims, and assisted the Ndirande Health Centre and other facilities during the cholera outbreak,” said Zimba.
She then reassured the community that Castel Malawi will remain a partner.
“This is not the end; we will continue looking for opportunities to support the communities where we operate. These children are our future, and together we can help them aim higher,” said Zimba.
Representing the Primary Education Advisory officer, Milliam Mtukane commended Castel Malawi for stepping in at a time when the school was at its lowest point.
“Before these new facilities, learners were forced to use the bush because most of the toilets had collapsed. This exposed them to serious health and sanitation risks. Now, with these new toilets, we expect improved hygiene and better school attendance. We will also be sensitizing learners on how to properly use and care for the facilities, while cleaners will ensure they are maintained daily,” said Mtukane.
One of the pupils, Alex Mwamadi, said the new sanitation facilities have already transformed the school environment, giving students a sense of dignity and safety.
“We used to fear coming to school because the toilets were broken, and the ground was unsafe and dirty. Now we feel safe, and more learners are coming to class. We thank Castel Malawi for helping us,” said Mwamadi.
Leading alcoholic beverage producer in the country, Castel Malawi Limited has challenged its stakeholders to prioritize transparency and sustainable business practices in their daily operations.
The call was made during a stakeholder engagement meeting held on Monday in Blantyre, bringing together Castel Malawi employees, suppliers, and distributors to share ideas and strengthen collaboration across the company’s value chain.
According to Castel Malawi Corporate Social Responsibility Manager, Linda Kolomba, the meeting was designed to deepen trust and open communication between the company and its key partners.
“It was an interaction meeting where we wanted to engage with our stakeholders so that we can share our expectations in our business conduct. Some of the key topics discussed ranged from procurement, legal, human resources, corporate social responsibilities and whistleblowing and tip-off mechanisms, among others,” said Kolomba.
Kolomba emphasized that the initiative is part of an ongoing effort by Castel Malawi to ensure effective communication and address operational challenges collaboratively.
“We just want to create an environment where the company and its stakeholders communicate effectively. The engagement meetings form part of Castel Malawi’s proactive efforts to foster collaboration and sustainable growth across our operations,” she said.
One of the participants, Phocus Muhire, Managing Director of A & L Investments and a distributor of Castel products, praised the engagement for providing clarity on partnership expectations.
“This engagement gave us a better understanding of what is expected of us as distributors and what our customers expect from us. It also helped us reflect on our responsibilities as managers of different entities,” said Muhire.
Apart from Castel Malawi the meeting also featured presentations from Quality Health Safety Environment (QHSE), Labour Rights Organisation (LARO), and Deloitte, who shared insights on compliance, labour rights, and responsible business conduct.
Similar engagements will also be conducted in the Central and Northern Regions within the week.
Malawi Posts Corporation (MPC) has been awarded a Universal Postal Union (UPU) grant totalling over $200,000 to support the enhancement of mail security systems and digital transformation efforts nationwide.
The Universal Postal Union is a United Nations specialized agency and the postal sector’s primary forum for international cooperation.
Speaking after confirmation of the funding, the Postmaster General Angel Banda, said the support marks a significant milestone in MPC’s ongoing transformation and its commitment to delivering secure and efficient postal services to all Malawians.
“This grant is a timely and strategic investment in the modernisation of our operations. It will strengthen our mail security infrastructure and enhance our ability to safeguard the integrity of the postal system, both locally and internationally. We are grateful to the UPU for recognising our efforts and reaffirming its confidence in Malawi’s postal sector,” said Banda.
She outlined that the funding will also contribute directly to the implementation of the Turnaround Strategy (TAS) MPC’s blueprint for organisational reform and digital transformation.
“Mail security is a crucial component of our Turnaround Strategy. As we modernise and digitise our operations, this grant will enable us to invest in the technology and capacity required to meet global postal standards and deliver better services to Malawians,” said Banda.
The Postmaster General also commended MPC staff for their dedication, citing the international recognition the Corporation has earned in recent years, including being the first English-speaking African country to receive the UPU’s silver medal for mail security.
“The over $200,000 in funding comprises a $170,000 mail security grant and an additional $40,000 ICT equipment grant, both secured through MPC’s strengthened international partnerships.”
“This milestone further positions MPC as a forward-looking postal operator committed to innovation, reliability, and service excellence,” said Banda.
The grant comes a few days before the commemorations of the World Postal Day on October 9.
As Malawi navigates the transition to a new government following the 2025 Tripartite Elections, a sense of uncertainty hangs in the air. The President-Elect, Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika, has sounded the alarm, warning against the abuse of the transition period by government officials who are pushing through questionable contracts and payments, engaging in corrupt practices, and carrying out irregular promotions, recruitments and transfers.
This behaviour not only undermines the principles of patriotism but also violates public trust and breaks the law; it also undermines the constitutional mandate of the outgoing presidency.
The closure of the National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF) offices by the Malawi Police Service is a timely reminder of the speculations of abuse that may have set in. The once-busy government loan hub, which pumped billions of kwachas into ‘loans for small businesses and farmers’, now has its doors sealed off by police officers. The allegations of ghost beneficiaries, political handpicking, and funds flowing into campaign coffers will most likely surface and catch up with the institution.
As the new government prepares to take over, the question on everyone’s lips is: can Malawi break free from this precedent and unshackle itself from the institutional corruption and mismanagement that has continued to hold it back for so long? The answer lies in the way the country navigates the transition period.
Malawi’s new electoral law allows for extending the period for announcing election results to within eight days of voting and the swearing-in of a president-elect within seven days after.
This transition period, in a way, offers preparedness for the incoming president and government, enabling them to hit the ground running, probably with a full cabinet or indeed key executive orders, from day one. However, it also creates a power and governance vacuum that evidently is being exploited by government officials and outgoing politicians.
Going by the current experiences and mismanagement speculations, this situation presents an opportunity to develop instruments for governance and government transitioning that close such loopholes.
As we commend the new electoral process for offering opportunities for preparedness, we cannot ignore the fact that it also allows government officials and the outgoing executives to make decisions on their way out that may not be beneficial. A lack of regulation around governance in this transitional period is a ticking time bomb, waiting to unleash a new wave of corruption and mismanagement.
To address these challenges, we recommend the development of regulations to guide the transition period, drawing from international best practices. In countries such as the USA, the transition period is governed by the Presidential Transition Act, which provides guidelines for the incoming and outgoing administrations.
Similarly, in the UK, the Cabinet Office publishes guidance on the transition process, outlining the roles and responsibilities of ministers and civil servants. Departure from such arrangements is matched with consequences — eventually making adherence necessary.
For Malawi, we propose the development of a Transition Regulations Framework (TRF) that would:
establish clear guidelines for the outgoing and incoming governments;
define roles and responsibilities of decision-makers and public officials during the transition period;
provide for transparency and accountability in the management of public assets and finances; and
ensure continuity of essential services and minimise disruption to citizens.
This framework would be a game-changer for Malawi, ensuring that the transition period is marked by transparency, accountability and good governance, without creating a power vacuum in the presidency. It would also send a strong signal to citizens that an incoming government is committed to breaking with the past and building a better future.
To operationalise this framework, we suggest lobbying for a bill from the majority or a private member bill in the first session of Parliament. This would require support from incoming members of Parliament (MPs) who share our concerns about governance and accountability during transition time.
We invite the majority in Parliament and interested MPs to join forces to run with this proposal, ensuring that government machinery during transition periods is characterised by transparency, accountability and good governance.
The development of a TRF is just the starting point in shifting the needle, but it is a crucial one.
We propose the following steps:
establish a task force, ratified by Parliament, to develop the TRF, comprising representatives from the government, the civil society and the private sector;
conduct a comprehensive review of existing laws and regulations to identify gaps and areas for improvement;
engage with citizens and stakeholders to ensure that the framework reflects their needs and concerns; and
lobby the majority or for a private member bill to operationalise the framework and ensure its implementation as an extension to laws.
The development of a TRF is a crucial step towards building a stronger, more resilient democracy.
Together, we can build a stronger, more resilient democracy that serves the interests of all Malawians.
The time for action is now. Let us work together to create a brighter future for Malawi.
The Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS) has on Friday, October 3, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Bank of Malawi (NBM) which has donated K150 million towards the university’s endowment fund.
The fund is aimed at supporting education, research projects, faculty development, and infrastructure at the institution.
MUBAS Vice Chancellor, Associate Professor Nancy Chitera, hailed the bank for what she described as a timely intervention, saying it will help create equal opportunities for students.
“This donation will go a long way not only in helping needy students but also in assisting the university in several developmental projects. It is an overall contribution to national development because these students will become responsible citizens and contribute to the economy once they graduate,” she said.
Chitera disclosed that MUBAS has over 5,000 needy students who struggle with accommodation, gadgets, and access to the internet for academic purposes. The university’s hostels can only house 1,200 out of more than 10,000 students, leaving many without decent accommodation.
She also revealed that MUBAS has been receiving donations towards the endowment fund since last year and the contributions now stand close to K700 million. She explained that the official launch will take place in the future but stressed that the money will not only benefit a few students. Instead, it will be invested through different activities, and the dividends will go towards supporting more students in a sustainable way.
“Thank you, National Bank, for coming through for the students. Thank you for coming through for the nation,” Chitera added.
NBM Chief Executive Officer, Harold Jiya, said the bank made the donation because it views MUBAS as a hub of entrepreneurship and national development.
“Our partnership with MUBAS today is not an isolated case. It builds on a long history that we have. We believe education is the foundation of national development. It is through these students that the nation will succeed.
“We want to be a catalyst for development in universities. We support different sectors of education including extracurricular activities to make sure students are prepared for the future,” said Jiya.
He added that the bank was compelled to support the endowment fund because of the potential it sees in students. Jiya also noted that he and several NBM officials walked through the corridors of MUBAS when it was still The Polytechnic under the University of Malawi.
MUBAS Students Representative Council (SRC) President, Francis Alex, also welcomed the support, saying it will help to keep needy students in class.
“We are grateful for this donation because students face so many challenges. The fund will help with scholarships, research projects, and other infrastructure that directly improves student welfare. The hostels are not enough to accommodate everyone. This should be a call to action for other organizations and companies to also contribute to the endowment fund,” Alex said.
The donation presentation and signing ceremony was attended by NBM executives, Heads of Departments, Executive Deans, and members of the MUBAS SRC.
In Dame Village, Malawi, the sound of water no longer means life—it means struggle. Every morning, 45-year-old Nasimita Lingilirani joins a weary procession of women and children armed with buckets, jerrycans, and fading hope.
They gather around the village’s only borehole, praying it still has a few reluctant drops left to give. On many days, it doesn’t.
“When it dries, we have no choice but to scoop from shallow wells,” she tells me, her eyes darting toward the dusty ground. “But the water makes us sick. Still, what else can we do? Without it, we die.”
This isn’t just about thirst. It’s about survival. Across Malawi—and much of Africa—the climate crisis has left families gasping not only for water, but for dignity, health, and food. Fields lie barren, livestock waste away, and hunger hovers like an unwelcome shadow over communities already stretched to the breaking point.
Researched and published by New Delhi (India)-based fortnightly Down To Earth and the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), the State of Africa’s Environment 2025 draws on investigative reportage by African journalists and was released at a communicators’ and journalists’ briefing organised with the Alliance for Science–Ethiopia and the Media for Environment, Science, Health and Agriculture (MESHA), Kenya.
The report covers adaptation, carbon markets, climate debt, migration, food security, water and health. It warns that climate-induced migration is emerging as a major concern: “By 2050. Up to 5 per cent of Africa’s population of some two billion people could be forced to be on the move due to climate change.
However the report released last week, puts numbers to what villages like Dama already know too well: this is the deadliest climate crisis Africa has faced in over a decade.
The statistics are chilling. In just five years, extreme weather events across 23 African countries claimed 69,220 lives—more than the entire previous decade combined. Malawi alone lost 1,807 people, many swept away by floods or starved by droughts that left crops withered before harvest.
But numbers don’t show the full story. Human faces do.
In villages like Dame, mothers are burying children who die from cholera after drinking from contaminated wells. Farmers are walking away from fields scorched by the sun, their seeds and sweat wasted. Young girls are missing school because fetching water now takes hours instead of minutes. For families who once lived on the margins, climate change has pushed them into free fall.
Sunita Narain, Director General of CSE
Sunita Narain, Director General of CSE, put it bluntly: “We must keep going. Let’s continue with conversation. We must work together and focus on solutions.” But solutions remain painfully out of reach for those who are living the crisis daily.
She said despite these challenges, African nations are rolling out strategies to adapt and mitigate climate impacts, ranging from net-zero emission commitments to harnessing indigenous knowledge against droughts and extreme weather.
The report highlights that 2024 was the warmest year on record for Africa, with nearly the entire surrounding ocean affected by marine heat waves. “The period between 2021 and 2025 has been the most devastating five-year stretch in terms of human toll from weather, climate and water-related disasters,” it adds.
The urgency goes beyond immediate deaths. Rising global temperatures are projected to displace up to 700 million Africans by 2030. Agriculture—the continent’s lifeline—has already shrunk by 18%, while new pests and diseases stalk what’s left of the harvest. In 2023, malaria transmission surged by 125% in Africa, leaving an additional 147–171 million people exposed by the end of the decade.
“It is unjust,” said Dr. Rita Bissoonauth, Director of UNESCO’s Liaison Office to the AU and UNECA. “Africa did not create this crisis, yet it bears its heaviest burdens. Our response must be rooted in equity, dignity, and justice.”
Back in Malawi, the injustice has a name: cholera. Clement Makuwa, Program Manager at the National Youth Network on Climate Change (NYNCC), describes how dry boreholes are pushing families to unsafe water sources.
“Cholera is everywhere now because of the water crisis,” he says grimly. “We have lost many people, and government needs to act swiftly.”
Meanwhile, regional leaders echo the warnings. Negus Lemma, Deputy Director General of Ethiopia’s Environmental Protection Authority, notes that floods and droughts are shredding Africa’s agricultural backbone. “Rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns are destroying crops, eroding livelihoods, and wrecking infrastructure,” he warns.
Yet behind these grim forecasts lies a simple, everyday reality: the crisis wears a woman’s face. It’s Nasimita in Dame Village, her cracked hands gripping an empty bucket. It’s the children missing school to queue at dry boreholes. It’s the mothers mixing maize porridge with dirty water, knowing the risk, but knowing hunger is no kinder.
The science is alarming. The statistics are staggering. But it’s the human toll that should haunt us. Africa’s climate crisis is not just about degrees of heat or millimeters of rainfall—it’s about lives measured in buckets of unsafe water and harvests that never arrive.
And for Nasimita, tomorrow will look the same: another long walk, another empty borehole, another gamble with survival.
National Bank of Malawi (NBM) plc, in partnership with Portland Cement Malawi Limited, has launched a cement distributors’ financing solution aimed at empowering retailers and distributors in the construction sector.
The initiative, launched under the theme ‘Building Malawi Together: A Landmark Partnership for Growth’ on Friday, is set to enhance access to affordable credit in anticipation of increased cement supply from Portland Cement’s soon-to-be-commissioned Balaka Integrated Cement Plant.
Speaking during the launch ceremony, NBM plc Head of Retail Banking Division, Oswin Kasunda, described the partnership as a significant milestone that underscores the Bank’s commitment to driving growth in Malawi’s construction industry.
“This is indeed a landmark partnership, and that phrase has been repeated time and again for good reason. It underlines our shared commitment to stimulate growth and development in the construction sector,” said Kasunda
Kasunda emphasised that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the two institutions is a strategic response to existing industry challenges such as distribution inefficiencies, cash flow constraints, and limited financial options for small and medium players.
“This strategic partnership demonstrates our mutual commitment to foster economic growth, recognizing the critical role cement plays in the construction sector. The role of the Bank is to provide financial facilities, while Portland Cement Malawi Ltd. focuses on production, and the two institutions have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to enable distributors, retailers, homebuilders, and contractors to obtain credit from National Bank to continue growing their businesses.”
“One of the standout features of this partnership is a credit package tailored specifically for Portland Cement Malawi, distributors and retailers. The package includes payment guarantees and overdraft facilities, with a maximum limit of K100 million being offered without the need for collateral,” said Kasunda.
Portland Cement Malawi Ltd, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Liu Alex Jianguo emphasised the importance of partnerships in empowering distributors and retailers.
“As we prepare to commission our Balaka Integrated Cement Plant next month, with a capacity of 800,000 tonnes per year, this partnership with National Bank of Malawi plc ensures our distributors and retailers are empowered and equally ready. Together, we are building resilience, unlocking opportunities, and contributing to Malawi’s Vision.” Said Jianguo.
One of the customers of Portland Cement Malawi Ltd, Bosco Twaibu, expressed optimism about the new partnership between Portland Cement Malawi Ltd. and NBM plc, stressing its potential to enhance their business operations.
“As I manage this business, everything else is progressing smoothly. But with the support of National Bank of Malawi plc, we will be able to broaden our vision, and I am confident that our business will grow and expand,” said Twaibu.
