The time to rebuild and develop our beautiful Malawi is now, says President Mutharika.
One hundred days into his return to State House, President Peter Mutharika is leading a Malawi that—while still confronting deep economic and humanitarian challenges—has begun to rediscover a sense of direction, confidence, and optimism. After a period marked by uncertainty, his administration’s early moves have reassured many Malawians that government is once again anchored in discipline, delivery, and purpose. For citizens across the country, the change is increasingly felt not only in policy direction, but in a renewed belief that Malawi’s future is back on a credible path.
Beyond Malawi’s borders, the President’s first 100 days have been closely watched by international financial institutions, development partners, and the global banking community. Early engagement with the IMF and World Bank, renewed dialogue with global environment.
For investors, the message emerging from the new administration has been clear and consistent: Malawi is ready again for serious business. Early reforms in public expenditure, foreign exchange management, procurement transparency, and investment facilitation have sent strong signals of predictability and accountability. In agriculture and agro-processing, energy, mining and critical minerals, tourism, ICT, and digital infrastructure, Malawi is positioning itself not merely as a country in recovery, but as a destination for long-term, value-driven investment partnerships.
In this wide-ranging interview with Pan African Visions Managing Editor Ajong Mbapndah L, President Mutharika reflects on the significance of what many Malawians described as poetic justice, the sobering realities he encountered upon returning to office, and the decisive early actions that have defined the tone of his administration. He outlines his government’s “Four Fs” stabilization strategy—Food, Fuel, Fertilizer, and Forex—while detailing how humanitarian response, economic reform, and institutional renewal are being pursued simultaneously.
Looking beyond the immediate challenges, the President sets out a forward-looking vision aimed at transforming agriculture into a growth engine, restoring investor confidence, strengthening regional security cooperation, and repositioning Malawi as a food-secure, economically sovereign, and investment-ready nation. It is a conversation grounded in responsibility and reform, but animated by renewed optimism—one that seeks to move Malawi decisively from rescue to recovery, and from recovery to lasting prosperity.
Your Excellency, many Malawians described your victory as poetic justice and the righting of a past wrong. Now that you have settled into office, how do you personally reflect on the significance of this moment?
Thank you very much. Many have indeed called it poetic justice, representing the restoration of trust in our democratic institutions. But more importantly, it is a reminder that the will of the people can prevail, even after setbacks. As I settle into office, I reflect on the significance of this moment with humility and resolve. It is not about correcting the past alone, but about shaping a future where justice, accountability, and opportunity are the norm to all. This victory belongs to every Malawian who believes in the promise of our nation. My responsibility now is to honour that faith by working tirelessly to deliver socio-economic progress, unity, and dignity for all
When you assumed office, what was the true state of the nation you found—economically, socially, and institutionally—and what stood out most in your first briefings?
When I assumed office, the nation was in the middle of an unimaginable economic crisis. The nation was burdened by high inflation, critically low foreign exchange reserves, and unsustainable public debt, just to mention a few. The situation led to falling investor confidence, weakened private sector performance and constrained access to essential commodities including fuel, medicines, and fertilizers, among others.
Socially, many Malawians were grappling with high unemployment and food insecurity, exacerbated by poor harvests, climate shocks, and rising living costs. Over four million people needed urgent humanitarian assistance.
Institutionally, our democratic foundations remained intact. However, there were high levels of political interference in the delivery of public service, which eroded public trust. Despite the hardships, Malawians had not lost hope. They were ready for a leadership that listens, reforms, and delivers.
As you approach your first 100 days in office, what key decisions or actions define the tone and direction of your new administration?
As we approach the first 100 days, several key decisions have defined the tone and direction of my administration with the priority being stabilizing the economy. I identified four critical pressure points affecting the economy and the livelihoods of Malawians. The Four are Food, Fuel, Fertilizer and Forex, (Four Fs).
For instance, on Food, we acted decisively by declaring a State of Disaster, mobilizing resources, and scaling up humanitarian relief, while ensuring maize remained available through ADMARC markets and preparing the next agricultural season with subsidized fertilizer to break the hunger cycle.
On Fuel, every effort is being made to prioritize its procurement and ensure continuous flow. I also announced reforms in the procurement of fuel and allow open tender procurement system to enhance efficiencies.
There is now stronger management of foreign exchange through enhanced fiscal discipline. My administration has introduced austerity measures to curb unnecessary expenditure of public resources, ensuring that every dollar is directed toward areas that can generate additional foreign exchange. In this way, we are not only safeguarding reserves, but also creating the conditions for renewed confidence, stability, and growth.
At every stage, the welfare of the Malawian people remains my administration’s guiding focus, ensuring that progress is not abstract, but felt in households, communities, and livelihoods across the nation.
Malawi is facing a difficult food and hunger situation. What is your honest assessment of the crisis today, and what immediate measures have you put in place to stabilize the situation?
This is one of the most severe food crises Malawi has faced in recent decades. Nearly a quarter of the population, require immediate assistance. As earlier mentioned, our immediate response includes scaling up humanitarian support through in-kind food distribution and cash transfers to the most vulnerable households.
We have stabilized maize markets by directing ADMARC to sell maize at affordable prices, preventing exploitative market spikes. We have also launched the earliest-ever Farm Input Subsidy Programme to protect the next cropping season and support smallholder farmers.
Your grain and maize distribution program has received national attention. How is your government ensuring transparency, fairness, and non-politicization in this effort to reach the most vulnerable households?
We have redesigned the distribution system to avoid past failures and political interference. Beneficiaries are identified through verified community-level registers, minimizing political influence. Delivery data is tracked and publicly reported at district and local levels. Multi-stakeholder committees, including faith leaders, civil society, and development partners, monitor the process.
I have made it unequivocally clear that my administration will not tolerate any form of misconduct in the delivery of humanitarian assistance. Every resource must reach those in need with integrity and transparency, and any deviation from this standard will be met with very punitive and corrective action. The lives and dignity of our people demand nothing less.
Beyond emergency relief, what medium- to long-term strategies are you pursuing to move Malawi from recurring food insecurity toward sustainable food sovereignty?
Beyond emergency relief, my administration is pursuing a comprehensive agenda to move Malawi from recurring food insecurity toward sustainable food sovereignty.
We are investing in climate‑smart agriculture, irrigation expansion, and resilient seed systems to ensure farmers can withstand shocks and increase productivity. We are strengthening extension services and farmer cooperatives, so that knowledge, technology, and markets are accessible to smallholders across the country.
We are also reforming input distribution to make it more efficient and targeted, while promoting local fertilizer production to reduce dependence on imports and reduce the cost of production.
Our long‑term vision is to transform agriculture into a driver of inclusive growth, linking farmers to agro‑processing, regional trade, and value‑addition industries. By doing so, we will not only secure food for every household, but also create jobs, generate foreign exchange, and position Malawi as a food‑sovereign nation. This is the path from relief to resilience, and from resilience to prosperity
Your government has already engaged the IMF and World Bank. What commitments, support, or policy assurances have they given Malawi, and what outcomes should citizens expect in 2026?
We are actively engaged in discussions with the IMF on an Extended Credit Facility and with the World Bank on aligned support. While agreements are not yet finalized, discussions are constructive and promising, reflecting confidence in Malawi’s reform agenda.
The focus of these engagements includes fiscal discipline, strengthened public financial management, and protection of vulnerable populations. Through these engagements, citizens can look forward to macroeconomic stability and a steady recovery that delivers tangible benefits across the nation.
How do you balance the reform expectations of international financial institutions with the imperative to protect Malawi’s social stability and economic dignity?
Reforms without social protection risk destabilizing society. Our approach is to shield essential spending on health, education, and social safety nets while reforming areas of waste and inefficiency. Economic dignity comes from creating jobs, increasing productivity, and supporting households rather than relying on perpetual aid. This is a careful balance that we need to, ensure that Malawi meets the expectations of development partners while putting citizens first.
Regionally, what have been your first engagements with SADC, and how do you see Malawi contributing to regional stability, security cooperation, and economic integration?
I am honoured to serve as Chair of the Political, Defence and Security Organ of the SADC Troika. This role reflects Malawi’s proud contribution to safeguarding peace and stability in our region, complementing our active participation in regional economic and trade initiatives that drive integration and shared prosperity.
Across the continent we have seen turbulence—from disputed elections to the coup attempt in Guinea-Bissau. What is your assessment of Africa’s current democratic landscape, and what lessons should be taken from recent events?
Recent events underscore that democracy is fragile where institutions are weak or governance fails to deliver. Elections alone do not secure democratic stability. Strong, independent institutions – judiciaries, parliaments, electoral commissions – must command public trust.
In addition, there must be dialogue and inclusivity; when citizens feel excluded or unheard, instability follows. Furthermore, regional solidarity matters, as such, regional bodies like SADC, ECOWAS, EAC and others must continue to uphold constitutionalism and respond firmly to threats against democracy.
On a personal level, what yardstick will you use to measure your success as President, both in the first 100 days and throughout your mandate?
I have always believed that true leadership cannot be measured by arbitrary timelines. The first 100 days is a useful checkpoint for public discussion, but what really matters is whether we stabilize the country and set the foundations for lasting progress.
In practical terms, in this early period, success will mean stabilizing food supplies to prevent famine, restoring economic direction, and rebuilding public confidence in government. Over the full mandate, success will be tangible and measurable: fewer Malawians needing food aid, consistent macroeconomic stability, improved employment opportunities, especially for youth, and higher living standards for our citizens. Leadership is ultimately judged by results delivered, not by political milestones or rhetoric.
What is your message to investors looking at Malawi in 2026? Which sectors offer the strongest opportunities, and what incentives or reforms is your government putting in place to attract responsible and long-term investment?
Malawi is under new, disciplined management, restoring policy predictability and macroeconomic stability. High-opportunity sectors include agro-processing, energy, mining and processing of critical minerals, tourism, ICT and digital infrastructure.
We have streamlined approvals, established one-stop investment service centers, ensured policy consistency, and strengthened protections under investment treaties. We seek long-term partners focused on value creation, not short-term gains.
Finally, as you conclude your first 100 days, what is your message to Malawians at home and abroad about the country’s future and the path you intend to chart for 2026 and beyond?
Malawi has faced hard truths, and we have chosen responsibility over denial. The path ahead – from rescue to recovery, and from recovery to sustainable growth – requires unity, patience, and hard work. I call on Malawians at home and abroad to join me build a food-secure, economically sovereign, and democratic Malawi, ensuring opportunity for all citizens, especially the youth. The time to rebuild and develop our beautiful Malawi is now.
