On Wednesday night, President Lazarus Chakwera delivered his New Year’s address, reflecting on Malawi’s progress, challenges and significant losses in 2024.
Oops! Happy New Year to you all, and welcome to the first edition of The Statesman in 2025.
So , among his administration’s achievements, Chakwera highlighted the mobilisation of over K300 billion in off-budgets funding for emergency food aid that supported 5.7 million drought-affected Malawians, the doubling of the Constituency Development Fund to K200 million, saying it improved local infrastructure and the restoration of donor confidence, resulting in the return of budgetary support after a decade-long hiatus.
Additionally, he pointed to various initiatives such as social cash transfers, fertiliser subsidies, collateral-free loans and free maize distribution— all aimed at supporting the country’s poorest households.
Expressing optimism for continued progress in 2025, he also praised Malawians for their resilience and unity in the face of adversity despite what he described as ‘external forces’ attempting to stoke political violence and tribal discrimination. The First Citizen also lamented the tragic loss of Vice-President Saulos Chilima and eight others in a devastating plane crash on June 10.
However, despite the President painting an optimistic picture, the harsh realities facing ordinary Malawians tell a different story. The soaring cost of living—fuelled by shortages of foreign exchange, fuel, essential medicines and skyrocketing prices of basic goods such as maize, soap and sugar— continues to push many people to their limits.
To his credit, the MCP administration has made notable strides in strengthening diplomatic ties regionally and internationally, promoting national unity and continues to make commendable efforts to reduce inflation. Investments in infrastructure, particularly urban and rural roads, have also increased, laying the groundwork for increased connectivity and economic development if the projects are completed.
Yet, such progress is overshadowed by the sharp rise in poverty. Youth unemployment has also remained a thorn in the side of progress since 2020, fuelling criticism from civil society groups and opposition leaders such as Peter Mutharika, the DPP’s 2025 presidential candidate, and George Chaponda, Leader of the Opposition in Parliament. Both have separately described 2024 as a year of deepening hardships for the majority of Malawians.
With this year’s elections fast approaching, the stakes are high and ensuring a transparent and credible electoral process is non-negotiable. But then again allegations of irregularities and inefficiencies within the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) and the National Registration Bureau (NRB) further cast a shadow over Chakwera’s praise for a ‘peaceful and inclusive’ voter registration process. This underscores the urgent need for intervention and both MEC and NRB must rise to the occasion and restore public trust because this country cannot afford to lose faith in its democratic institutions—not now, and not ever.
The year 2025 is finally here, but the road to the September 16 elections will not be a walk in the park for all politicians vying for positions. This is why I urge them to prioritise addressing the cost of living crisis, stabilising forex reserves and creating sustainable job opportunities for the youth.
These and other critical priorities for strengthening the national economy and improving citizens’ livelihoods demand immediate action— not tomorrow, not someday, but today.
