Minister of Homeland Security Ezekiel Ching’oma says passport printing is progressing well with at least 1 000 printed against a backlog of over 100 000 applications accumulated over several years.
The minister said in an interview yesterday that the printing started with Lilongwe last week.
Said Ching’oma: “It’s an accumulation of years and the backclog now is slightly more than 100 000 applications.
“I can assure the nation that printing won’t be disrupted again because this time round the system is owned by the Malawi Government unlike in the past when the supplier used to own the system [under the build, transfer and operate arrangement].”
He said the Madrass system is built using modern technologies that includes biometric capture devices, secure web applications, encryption applications and database management.
Ching’oma justified the choice for Madrass system, saying that unlike Techno Brain, it offers value for money as it is contracted at $29.9 million for over five years to produce 500 000 booklets.
On the other hand, the Techno Brain deal was pegged at $60.8 million for three years to produce 300 000 booklets.
Ching’oma said the Madrass system has a capacity to issue at least 2000 passport booklets per day.
The news from Madras Security Private Printers comes as a relief to many Malawians who have been longing for the travel document whose processing and printing had stalled for over a year and a half.
Madras Security Private Printers replaced E-Tech Systems contracted in April 2024 to provide a temporary passport solution after government terminated its earlier contract with Techno Brain, was offered a $29.9 million (K52.7 billion) contract in January 2025.
Reacting to the development, National Advocacy Platform national coordinator Benedicto Kondowe said while it is encouraging that passport printing has resumed, the reported backlog of 100 000 applicants was a concern.
He said Malawians have endured long delays and unnecessary suffering, as such, it is imperative that government puts in place extraordinary measures to clear this backlog quickly.
Said Kondowe: “The Department of Immigration must increase efficiency, whether by extending working hours, deploying additional staff or adopting faster technologies to ensure timely processing.”
He also urged transparency in the whole process, stressing citizens need to have confidence that passports are being issued fairly and without corruption.
Attorney General (AG) Thabo Chakaka Nyirenda cancelled the Techno Brain contract due to alleged poor handling by the former governing Democratic Progressive Party administration.
