Party funding for good

With the 2025 General Elections in sight, many political parties are preparing to hold conventions to elect their candidates.

Eligible members have the right to freely choose candidates to represent their parties, but every potential candidate has to strongly convince the voters to win their confidence.

As such, aspirants not only give good ideas to develop the country but also money and other incentives to lure voters.

This requires the candidates to have a strong financial muscle.

Recently, The Nation reported that some Cabinet ministers were seen splashing millions to delegates earmarked to vote at the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) convention in August.

Where these ministers got their money is a story for another day.

However, after the party convention, the party and its candidates have to campaign vigorously to win the general elections.

The party needs huge campaign funding to visit all parts of the country.

This is a critical stage where political investors come in to support their desired political parties.

Campaign funding is a part of democracy   as it helps political parties reach voters with their manifestos and compete on an even playing field.

As such, political party funding is the lifeblood that sustains political campaigns, propelling parties to victory and to implement their visions.

However, it is important to understand the funders’ goal or end-game.

Nothing happens for nothing, they say. There is no free lunch in politics.

As such, political parties and their followers need to critically analyse why some financiers pump millions into their electoral campaigns.

Most of the so-called investors or well-wishers fund the party to secure future favours, especially public appointments and contracts.

They do it for personal gain over national goals.

When the funded party wins, they monopolise government contracts based on political connections.

This pushes government to award contracts companies without any to record of excellence while deserving firms are side-lined.

This leads to substandard work, inflated costs and missed deadlines.

These inefficiencies impede the government’s ability to deliver essential services and infrastructure.

Such cronyism also leads to widespread corruption and loss of public trust.

The give-and-take party financing not only corrupts political systems but also skews priorities, often sidestepping the needs of the citizenry.

Parties need political investors with vision to transform the nation to achieve the shared dream—the Malawi 2063 development agenda.

By supporting candidates and parties committed to transparent governance, accountability and sustainable development, investors can create an environment where public resources are used intelligently.

This enhances good government and contributes to a prosperous society.

Ethical political funding has far-reaching benefits for investors too. A functioning government and a thriving economy build a favourable environment for businesses to flourish.

When political stability is ensured and public infrastructure is robust, companies can operate more efficiently, make higher profits and sustain growth.

In contrast, corrupt governments drive nations and businesses into stagnation, social unrest and uncertainty.

To transform Malawi, investors must adopt a principled approach, including due diligence on candidates, political parties and their commitment to good governance.

They should support parties to influence transparency, accountability and public interest, not narrow agendas and short-term gains.

The investors should also promote reforms that enhance the integrity of political financing, including supporting anti-corruption measures and the ban on campaign handouts.

By championing such reforms, investors can create a political landscape where merit prevails and public resources are used wisely.

A vigilant and informed public should pressurise political investors to adopt more responsible practices and focus on national development.

Only through such principled approach can political investors truly contribute to the Malawi 2063. Investors who prioritise their personal gains only make our country more corrupt.