Kayerekera is gearing up to reignite its uranium extraction operations by the end of the year, a move recently hinted at by its new proprietors, Lotus Resources. Meanwhile, Escom is racing to hook up the mine to the national grid, banking on the long-awaited Mozambique-Malawi power interconnection to ease the strain. Unlike its predecessors, Paladin (Africa) Limited, who relied on costly diesel-powered generators, Lotus is eyeing a more sustainable energy source to fuel its ambitious revival.
With the comeback, Malawi’s mining sector is set for a surge, as three other up-and-coming mining sites prepare to switch on in the coming months. Escom will have to hook these up too, as it will have a fifth mine across the border in Chipata, Zambia.
In a year or two, Malawi is poised to witness an explosion of mining activity like never before. With multiple mines coming online, the country could be flooded with foreign exchange, potentially surpassing the revenues long dominated by tobacco. While a hefty share of the forex will inevitably flow back to foreign investors, what remains within Malawi’s borders will be unprecedented—dwarfing anything the nation has seen before.
This will be a stark contrast to the current economic struggle, where a crippling shortage of foreign reserves has left the country on edge. With a steady inflow of forex, some of the nation’s most pressing hardships will begin to ease. Fuel shortages could become a thing of the past, the exchange rate will stabilize—reining in inflation—and the importation of essential goods will flow seamlessly. If managed prudently, this mining-driven windfall could provide Malawi with the economic breathing room it has long been desperate for.
The politicians in power when these mines hit full throttle will bask in the glow of economic turnaround, taking credit for the newfound prosperity. They will stand tall, beating their chests, proclaiming themselves as the masterminds behind Malawi’s revival. And with tangible improvements—fuel in abundance, a stable exchange rate, and inflation under control—the gullible masses will swallow their words as gospel truth.
Development is a journey, not a one-time spectacle. It unfolds gradually, with each stage building upon the last until something tangible takes shape. While progress may sometimes materialize within a single government’s term, more often than not, true development stretches across multiple administrations. It is the result of sustained efforts, long-term planning, and a series of interconnected steps—rather than the handiwork of any one leader or regime.
When Kapichira Power Station was developed, three turbines were installed, but provisions were made for a fourth. Kamuzu Banda, who initiated the project, left office—and later passed away—before the final turbine was fitted. It was only during Joyce Banda’s presidency that the fourth turbine was finally installed, boosting the station’s capacity.
This serves as a prime example of how one government can lay the groundwork for progress, while the full benefits materialise under a different administration. Development is rarely the work of a single leader—it is a continuum, with each phase building on the efforts of those who came before.
About six months ago, I had the chance to visit the massive Shire Valley Transformation Project. The 120-kilometre canal currently under construction is nothing short of an engineering marvel. Once fully operational, it will turn the surrounding communities into a thriving economic zone, unlocking opportunities in agriculture, trade, and industry.
But let us be clear—this project is not the brainchild of any single government. It was conceived under one administration, developed under another, and will likely be completed and fully implemented by yet another. No politician should claim ownership of such national projects. They belong to the people of Malawi, whose taxes, patience, and resilience make these developments possible. True progress is a collective effort, not a political trophy.
When John Pombe Magufuli burst onto the scene in Tanzania, shaking up ministries, departments, and agencies, many were quick to credit him alone for the country’s rapid developments. His no-nonsense approach and hands-on leadership style made it seem as though he single-handedly transformed Tanzania.
However, the reality is more nuanced. Many of the projects that flourished under his tenure had been in the pipeline long before he took office—some were already planned, while others were partially implemented. Magufuli may have accelerated their execution, but the foundations had been laid by previous administrations. His era was a testament to the fact that national progress is often the result of cumulative efforts rather than the work of a single leader.
