The Economics Association of Malawi (Ecama) and Malawi Confederation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (MCCCI) have urged the new Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) administration to prioritise food security, stabilise exchange rate, rebuild fiscal space and ensure policy consistency to achieve macroeconomic stability.
The advice comes at a time President Peter Mutharika has just formed a new government and announced a partial Cabinet with Joseph Mwanamvekha as Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Development.
It also comes after the MCCCI last week lamented the worsening business environment between July and September, which further weakened the local investment climate, hampering long-term growth and affecting foreign direct investment.
In an interview on Monday, Ecama president Bertha Bangara-Chikadza said to deal with the current economic challenges, the government should prioritise measures that strengthen food security, stabilise exchange rate and rebuild fiscal space through prudent resource management and debt restructuring.
She said: “The business environment will be shaped by efforts to stabilise the macroeconomy, restore investor confidence and address structural challenges.
“Policy consistency will be critical in ensuring predictability for businesses and investors.”
Bangara-Chikadza, who teaches economics at University of Malawi, said the measures should be followed by diversifying exports beyond traditional commodities and adding value to agricultural products, which is key in boosting foreign exchange earnings.
In a separate interview on Monday, Malawi Confederation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry CEO Daisy Kambalame said to restore macroeconomic stability, the new government needs a well-coordinated policy approach that targets fundamental factors such as runaway inflation and export diversification.
She said: “Restoring macroeconomic stability will require a coordinated policy approach focused on inflation control, fiscal discipline and export diversification.
“Without decisive reforms, Malawi risks backsliding into deeper instability.”
Kambalame said the new government’s ability to deliver both short-term stabilisation and long-term structural change will be critical to the country’s economic trajectory heading into 2026.
Malawi Union of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises president James Chiutsi said there is need for the government to prioritise food price stability, which would stabilise inflation and interest rates and boost production.
In his inaugural speech, Mutharika said his government’s priority will be on food security, fertiliser procurement and stabilising fuel availability in the country.
