Small-scale entrepreneurs in Limbe, Blantyre yesterday marched to Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) head office to protest the roll-out of Electronic Invoicing System (EIS) on February 1 2026, arguing that it will cripple their businesses.
The move to protest the EIS introduction has since surprised a respected tax expert, who said yesterday the system only wants to ensure the right amount of taxes are paid; hence, no need for alarm.
receipt of the petition.
The march attracted at least 400 business owners, most of them dressed in black while some carried placards, who gathered along Independence Drive before marching to MRA’s Msonkho House with over 35 police officers providing security.
One of the placards read ‘MRA, ine osaka, iwe odyera? [MRA, I should work so that you enjoy the fruits?].’ Other placards highlighted foreign exchange (forex) challenges affecting businesses.
In their petition presented to MRA, the traders said MRA officers have been contacting them to ask about the source and size of their capital as well as the value of goods in stock.
They also claimed to have information that MRA will now require them to declare all their goods in the EIS for tracking.
Reads the petition: “We are already passing through tough times following recent fuel price rise and devaluations, therefore, bringing this system will finish us and our businesses.”
Limbe Local Shop Owners Association secretary general Chisomo Rodger said the small-scale traders do not use electronic fiscal devices (EFDs) and wondered why the EIS now applies to them.
She further said the traders already pay import duty and other taxes and they feel the new system is punitive.
MRA commissioner of domestic taxes Gray Balawe said the authority will discuss the issue internally and provide feedback to the traders.
Meanwhile, a letter circulating on social media indicates that traders in Lilongwe also plan to close their shops today and march to MRA offices over the EIS rollout.
EK Tax Consulting senior tax consultant Emmanuel Kaluluma said there was no need for the traders to be scared because government was only working to bring them into the tax net correctly, without overcharging or undercharging them. The EIS, which replaces EFDs, is designed to issue electronic tax invoices, manage stock records and transmit transaction data to MRA in real time.
