Fiscal constraints, delayed legislation and structural barriers to revenue generation hindered decentralisation and local governance in 2024.
Malawi Local Government Association (Malga) said this in a statement titled Reflection on Decentralisation and Local Governance in Malawi: Successes and challenges in the year 2024.
It said among the most pressing issues is government’s failure to table the Local Government Amendment Bill 2024, which Malga described as essential for implementing the revised Decentralisation Policy of 2024.
“Effective policy reform generally depends on effective legal reform. This is an area government needs to pay attention to going into 2025,” says Malga in the statement dated December 27 2024.
Over the past year, the statement notes, Local Government Authorities (LGAs) have faced inconsistent cash flows from the central government, restricting their ability to execute development plans.
“The inconsistency between policy and action continues to undermine huge potential LGAs have in contributing towards realising Malawi 2063,” the statement reads.
While LGAs have been encouraged to generate their own revenue, Malga noted that central government monopolisation of key revenue sources remains a barrier.
“Almost all current lucrative sources of revenue at the local level are monopolised by the central government,” it said, urging adherence to the principles of fiscal autonomy enshrined in the Constitution and Local Government Act.
However, Malga, an umbrella body of LGAs, commended government for promoting district commissioners to the grade P2, but expressed disappointment that chief executive officers of urban councils were excluded.
It also proposed a personal-to-holder vehicle scheme for controlling officers, similar to provisions in other public service sectors.
Despite the challenges, Malga expressed optimism about the coming year.
“It aims to deepen decentralisation and enhance oversight, public finance management and service delivery, building on the achievements of 2024.
“As we approach the year 2025, we are determined to build more viable, credible and functional Local Government Authorities,” the statement concludes.
The association urged the government to address legislative and fiscal gaps, stressing that empowering LGAs as autonomous development actors is key to achieving Malawi 2063 goals.
As we went to press, the Ministry of Local Government had not responded to our questionnaire.
