The National Bank of Malawi (NBM) plc has donated K11 million to the 2025 Malawi Defence Force (MDF) Cross Country Competition taking place at the Mzuzu Golf Course,

The competition has approximately 230 athletes from various MDF units nationwide competing for top honours.

Speaking when presenting the cheque on Thursday NBM plc Mzuzu Service Centre Manager, Samson Mzungu, underscored the bank’s dedication to supporting initiatives that enhance community well-being, particularly through sports.

“Such competitions promote interaction among our soldiers and support their health, which is our concern. We will continue supporting sports and other sectors because we value MDF’s support to the Bank,” said Mzungu.

In his remarks Brigadier General Luke Yetala, MDF’s Chief of Training, expressed gratitude to NBM, describing the support as timely and essential and further appealed to other organizations to contribute to the success of such initiatives.

“These activities are not just entertainment. They enhance our operations, foster teamwork, and prepare soldiers for national and international competitions. Sports teach leadership and teamwork, critical skills for soldiers. Beyond that, we contribute to national development goals like the Malawi 2063 agenda, which emphasizes a healthy nation,” said Yetala.

Captain John Kaputa, MDF’s Technical Advisor for Sports, highlighted that the competition plays a pivotal role in preparing athletes for national events organized by the Athletics Association of Malawi (AAM), and the best-performing runners will enter intensive training camps to gear up for future competitions.

“We aim to win more medals at national competitions. We are identifying the best talent, focusing on both male and female athletes in the 10-kilometre race categories,” said Kaputa.

The competition has a K39 million budget, with NBM’s contribution alleviating a significant financial burden to a platform that scouts exceptional athletes to represent the MDF in senior national cross-country events.

Mbeye bashes CEO Mangani in court

There was drama during the hearing of ex-Press Corporation Limited (PCL) bosses’ compensation case where PCL Chief Finance Officer Moureen Mbeye lashed out at her own boss, PCL Chief Executive Officer Ronald Mangani for commenting on the case.

It started during cross examination by lawyer John Suzi Banda representing the three ex-bosses namely George Partridge who was Group Chief Executive Officer, Benard Ndau who was Group Administrative Executive and Company Secretary and Elizabeth Mafeni who was Group Financial Controller, when Mbeye disassociated PCL from comments made by the Minority Shareholders of Listed Companies Ltd (MISALICO) who released a press statement, which among other things attacked the judgement of the Industrial Court on the case.

IRC Deputy Chairperson, Tamanda Nyimba had earlier ruled in favour of the three ex-bosses for unlawful termination of services and ordered their compensation.

Mbeye, who was a key witness for PCL during Friday’s hearing told the court that there was no collusion between MISALICO and PCL saying the facts that were contained in the press statement by MISALICO were incorrect and did not agree with them.

In the press statement MISALICO urged PCL to appeal against the ruling and attacked the judgement of the court on the matter suggesting that the three ex-bosses were consulted during the functional review which recommended their firing when the court ruled in the opposite.

Answering a question from Suzi-Banda as to whether by publishing the said article, MISALICO was in contempt of court, Mbeye agreed that it was improper for MISALICO to publish the said statement which was commenting directly on an on-going court matter.

“There was no collusion between MISALICO and PCL and the facts presented were wrong. It was also not proper for our CEO (Dr Mangani) to comment on an on-going court case,” said Mbeye.

As if this drama was not enough, Mbeye was adamant on her role as board member of PCL’s heartbeat subsidiary, National Bank of Malawi (NBM) plc which contributes highly to the financial muscle of PCL.

Suzi-Banda asked if it was proper for Mbeye, who is a board member at NBM plc, to apply for a management position of Chief Finance Officer at the Bank.

Mbeye said when she applied for the position, she resigned from her position as board member and attended the interviews which she failed as the position was offered to another NBM plc employee Daniel Jere.

She said she then returned to her position as a board member at NBM plc and sits in the Finance and Audit Committee of the Board, which supervises Jere, who holds a position which Mbeye desperately wanted.

Asked if she is not conflicted and what this means to ‘rules of good governance’ which the Bank respects, Mbeye was adamant that she is not conflicted.

Mbeye also told the court that Press Trust, a majority shareholder in PCL, appoints 4 of the 6 non-executive directors that sit on the PCL Board which include Press Trust Executive Secretary Gibson Ngalamila.

She was asked in court about her relationship with Ngalamila and PCL Chief Operating Officer Dr Lyton Chithambo, which she said the three were classmates at the university.

The court heard that Ngalamila had posted on their class WhatsApp group that there would be changes in leadership at PCL, way before a consultant was hired to conduct a functional review which eventually saw the three bosses fired while Mbeye and Chithambo survived the chop.

Mbeye denied that Ngalamila ever posted the issue on their class WhatsApp group and said ‘it is by sheer coincidence that only Mr. Ngalamila’s classmates were not affected by the retrenchments at PCL’.

The three ex-bosses submitted a whooping K34 billion compensations claim and the court is set to deliver judgement on the claim on a date to be communicated to the parties.

President Lazarous Chakwera says his administration has spent the past four years fixing the mess left by past regimes, and that in the next five years Malawians will start enjoying the fruits of the sacrifices this far.

He made the remarks on Tuesday during the swearing in ceremony of new cabinet ministers.

” Four years ago, on 6 July 2020, When I was given authority to rule this country, I told Malawians a message that it is possible most of you have forgotten.The message I gave was that in the first five years of my administration there will be great pain in this country because of the bubbles of pus that we have been blowing up to clean up the country by fixing the mess which other governments in the past have left for a long time” said Chakwera.

The President said he is aware that fixing the mess and draining the swamp has caused great pain to majority of Malawians but stressed Malawians will enjoy economic recovery and good news in the next five years of his rule.

He said the past regimes misled Malawians on the strength of the economy and real value of the Kwacha.

” On the financial side, they deceived Malawians that our currency is strong but I have been fixing this by presenting Malawians with the true picture. In the past four years, Malawians have been in great pain, but I would not be a useful doctor if I allowed this mess to continue in fear that if I mention it, people will curse me,” said Chakwera.

The President emphasised that he has also been fixing rampant corruption that was happening in government departments, at Reserve Bank of Malawi and in parastatals which drained Malawi’s resources.

He further said his administration has been fixing theft and corruption that happened at ADMARC, running of FISP, as well as low prices that were offered to tobacco farmers .

” The work which we have are doing to fix these problems has caused great pain, but we are doing this knowing that in the future Malawians will enjoy good news if they don’t allow those who brought this mess lie to them that they want to rejoin the government do them good” stated Chakwera.

The President then advised the new ministers to serve the people, to educate the masses about the work government is doing to fix the country and not to enrich themselves or travel abroad endlessly.

” You will travel throughout the country, gather Malawians and explain to them what we are doing for them, not just leaving it to one person to do all the work. I have chosen you so that Malawians should see your work, not to follow me everywhere . I want you to deliver, otherwise I will remove you,” he warned.

The Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) says the Chakwera administration deserves credit for the massive infrastructure development projects taking place across the country.

In a statement released on Monday, HRDC says the infrastructure development projects taking place in the country are key to the economic growth of Malawi.

” Granted that the country is going through a lot of challenges due to several factors including climate change shocks, HRDC would like to also commend the Chakwera administration on infrastructural development. This administration deserves credit for its ambitious infrastructure development project across the country,” reads the stattement.

The statement signed by National Chairperson Gift Trapence says HRDC is impressed with the massive road projects taking place in Lilongwe city, saying Lilongwe is wearing a new face benefiting a capital city.

There are four ongoing road projects in the heart of the City of Lilongwe which have gained momentum and are in their final stage.

These projects which are Malawi government financed include capacity improvement of Kenyatta Road to six lane road, capacity improvement of Mzimba Street to dual carriage, the China Aid financed dualisation of the Airport Road from Cross Roads to Kanengo and JICA financed dualisation of Lilongwe bridge.

In addition, the 347 km M1 road from Lumbadzi to Chiweta is also being rehabilitated, so too is the Lake Shore road from Kaphamtenga in Salima to Nkhotakota and many other roads across the country are being upgraded.
However, HRDC has bemoaned the slow progress on the Njakwa- Livingstonia and Mangochi-Makanjira roads.

” We urge the government to push s contractors to speed up construction for these two roads so they are completed without further delays. These infrastructure development projects are key to the economic growth of Malawi,” says the statement.

Completion of the roads under construction will open up more areas to trade, essential services and stimulate economic and social development.

LILONGWE, January 7, 2025 Standard Bank Plc looks forward to working with the new leadership team at Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) under the leadership of Dr Macdonald Mafuta Mwale and Dr Kisu Simwaka. The two economists bring a renewed sense of vigour and confidence to the financial markets given their vast expertise in economics and financial regulation. We are pleased to have a team that has built a track record working at the technical level in both respects of economic policy formulation and implementation.

In the recent past, the leadership at the RBM has been a keen participant of dialogue forums that Standard Bank Plc initiates and drives, namely the Growth Conversations and Leadership Round Table . We look forward in further strengthening this dialogue with Dr Mwale and his leadership team. Specifically, we would like to sustain the dialogue momentum on the following key issues, and which aim to urgently address current economic challenges haunting the country;

1. A return to free market-driven foreign currency management policies aiming to stimulate and incentivize the private sector, NGOs and donors to participate fully and effectively in contributing to the stabilisation of FX reserves . This should help increase inflows and circulation of foreign currency in the market, much needed to support the country’s economic growth by making FX liquidity for export-oriented productive sectors readily available. Key amongst these sectors is agriculture, which is currently in season following the onset of Malawi’s rains.Other considerations are for mining, tourism and manufacturing sectors and this goes in line with Malawi’s long-term vision of building an inclusively wealthy and self-reliant nation as stipulated in the #MW2063. 2. Speed in tackling the country’s debt by taking bold steps and leadership in expediting debt restructuring negotiations with key creditors.
   We are painfully aware that the current pace of debt restructuring is clearly not consistent with the need to speedily resolve Malawi’s debt burden to usher in meaningful recovery and growth. Fast-tracking the debt restructuring process should help free up the fiscal space and give the government much needed momentum and leverage to achieve fiscal stability, find resources to finance short-to-medium critical development expenditure, and stabilize supply of critical imports such as fuel. Lack of fiscal space will mean that prevailing supply-side constraints will continue to manifest. This will affect the private sector and negatively decimate production, especially in agriculture.

3.Responsive and Independent Regulation

Based on feedback from various dialogue forums that Standard Bank Plc has convened, stakeholders are crying for a breath of fresh air in a central bank that reasserts its role in guiding economic policy direction and implantation. A paradigm shift and new thinking is required to drive and guide the country’s economic policy agenda, and no one else is better placed to assert in this role than the central bank itself.

In reasserting its role, the RBM must strive to be independent of undue external influences and act responsibly in the best interests of free market principles.

Mr Phillip Madinga
Chief Executive

The Human Rights Defenders Coalition has condemned the main opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) for propagating politics of vengeance and has instead implored the opposition to promote issue based campaign.

Recently, there have been instances where DPP officials, including Director of Youth Norman Chisale, have openly declared vengeance should they be voted back into power while others have made remarks inciting violence against opponents.

In a statement released on Monday and signed by National Chairperson Gift Trapence, HRDC has urged DPP to package their campaign messages in a manner that advances issue based campaign and promotes peace, unity, tolerance and provides tangible solutions to dealing with the challenges the country is facing.

” We urge the opposition led by the DPP to do a soul searching of their role to provide checks and balances, to promote issue based campaign and desist from hate speech and politics of vengeance, especially DPP officials who, on podiums, are openly proclaiming vengeance should they be voted back into government,” reads the statement.

HRDC has also appealed to all political parties to respect the democratic process and refrain from violence or intimidation.

” We further urge the government to ensure a fair and level playing field for all political parties. We also remind both the government and opposition parties of their obligations to respect human rights and the rule of law,” says Trapence in the statement.

Malawi will be heading general elections on September 25 this year.

The Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) has hailed government decision to transition from open tender to government – to- government procurement as a positive that will likely address the current fuel crisis in the country.

In a statement released on Monday, HRDC says it believes this shift to G2G arrangement is a positive move as the open tender arrangement was prone to abuse and corruption.

” We therefore take note the announcement by the Minister of Energy Hon. Ibrahim Matola that a total of 40,000 metric tons (51.1 million litres) of diesel and petrol will start arriving in the country next week from the United Arab Emirates through the bilateral arrangements Malawi has with Kenya and urge Government to continue with this intervention in the fuel industry as a way of sustainability restoring the security of fuel supply in the country,” reads the statement.

The statement signed by National Chairperson Gift Trapence says the current fuel has a negative impact on productivity through increased production costs, increased transportation costs, reduced business activities to name a few.

” It is therefore our expectation that the fuel currently on its way to Malawi under the G2G arrangement should have lower premiums in comparison to those offered by the current suppliers. It is also our expectation that the G2G arrangement will resolve the ongoing fuel crisis in the country and enhance the efficiency and reliability of the fuel supply.,” says Trapence.

HRDC has urged the government to put in place systems and mechanisms that will ensure that the G2G fuel supply arrangement is not abused.

” We finally call on the Government to investigate and bring to account those that have been abusing the previous fuel procurement system in the country,” Trapence has emphasised.

The 51.1 million litres of fuel are expected to start arriving into the country on Thursday this week.

MBL Holdings Limited, a conglomerate with over 22 subsidiaries across the country and beyond, has shifted its focus from politics to hard work and divine guidance.

According to Leston Mulli, the company’s Executive Chairman, the decision to concentrate on business and leave politics behind has yielded positive results.

Mulli made the remarks during the company’s annual prayer session at its headquarters in Chigumula, Blantyre.

“This year, 2025, which has just begun, I foresee it as a very productive year in business. We are achieving a lot, and we can see light at the end of the tunnel,” Mulli said.

Mulli emphasized the importance of hard work, saying, “My message is, work, work, work, work hard, and we’ll achieve everything. Everything will come because of hard work.”

He also warned employees to be vigilant and resist the influence of Satan, who he believes can derail the company’s progress through politics and other means.

The company’s Chaplain, Professor Billy Gama, echoed Mulli’s sentiments, saying, “We are saying that everything is possible with God. We should never dwell on politics. Politics will never bring food on the table, but hard work and trust in God will.”

MBL Holdings Limited has been conducting prayers in all its subsidiaries, with a focus on seeking divine guidance and direction.

“Let God show us the way,” Professor Gama said.

Mulli also revealed that the company is expanding its operations, with plans to establish a presence in other countries.

“We are in the finalization stage, and once everything is done, we will make the necessary announcements,” he said.

As MBL Holdings Limited continues to grow and expand, its focus on hard work, divine guidance, and apolitical operations is expected to yield even greater success in the future.

President Lazarus Chawera’s new government-to government (G2G) arrangement for importing fuel to address the current fuel shortage in the country has started bearing fruits, with the ministry of energy announcing that Malawi will start receiving 51.1 million litres of fuel from Saudi Arabia next week.

Minster of Energy Ibrahim Matola in a statement on Friday announced that the Government of Malawi has procured 51 million litres of petrol and diesel from the United Arab Emirates to ease the ongoing fuel shortage in the country.

The statement said the 40,000 metric tons (about 51.1 million litres) of fuel, procured under the Kenyan bilateral arrangement with Lilongwe, with start arriving into the country on Thursday next week.

” This emergency fuel procurement aims to supplement the normal fuel imports by NOCMA, Petroleum Importers Limited, and other licenced petroleum importers which have faced challenges in accessing fuel importing financing leading to the current fuel shortages,” said Matola in the statement.

Malawi’s annual fuel import bill stands at $600 million, while the country generates $1 billion in forex annually.
Last month, Malawi Parliament passed the Liquid Fuels and Gas (Production and Supply) Act (Amendment) Bill to facilitate the transition from open tender to government-to-government procurement of fuel.

The new law is meant to operationalise President Lazarus Chakwera’s directive to transition from the open tender system to a government-to-government procurement process and gives the Minister of Energy the power to nominate an agent or State entity to import fuel without the oversight prescribed in the Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets (PPDA) Act of 2017.

“Currently, Nocma uses so many suppliers, and so does Petroleum Importers Limited (PIL), but these suppliers import in smaller quantities each, which means they don’t enjoy quantity discounts. Malawi ends up paying more for fuel due to the lack of economies of scale and a fragmented supply chain” said Matola recently.

Under the new arrangement, Nocma will now be able to procure fuel in large quantities from major international oil companies such as the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc), Emirates National Oil Company (Enoc), and Saudi Aramco, among others.

By dealing directly with these oil giants, Malawi will likely secure better pricing and more favorable credit terms.

“With Nocma applying for foreign exchange, the correct demand will be reflected, which will result in a stabilization or even an appreciation of the local currency,” Matola says.

Additionally, the G2G framework will provide more flexibility in payment terms, allowing Nocma to negotiate better credit facilities with oil producers.

“The G2G arrangement will provide more extended credit periods, which will help the country manage its cash flow and avoid the perennial fuel stock-outs that we have witnessed in the past,” Matola adds.

About 1,409 trucks will be required to haul the 51.1 million litres of fuel from Port of Tanga in Tanzania into the country, says the statement.

Malawians can now breathe a sigh of relief as about 51million litres of fuel which the government has procured, is expected to arrive into the country through Tanga Port in Tanzania.

The vessel carrying both petrol and diesel is currently at the port, offloading the much awaited fuel which is a key driver to the country’s economy.

Minister of Energy Ibrahim Matola told the media that about 1049 tankers are expected to carry the fuel to Malawi.

He has since expressed optimism that the 51million litres of fuel will improve the fuel situation in the country as the Chakwera administration plans to deal with this problem once and for all.