United General Insurance (UGI) Company Limited has demonstrated its commitment to supporting local businesses and sports by making significant donations to two important initiatives.
The company has donated K3 million to the Malawi Confederation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry’s (MCCCI) Business Leadership conference, which will take place in Mangochi next week.
According to Golden Jamu, Sales and Marketing Manager at UGI, the sponsorship is aimed at fostering collaboration between business players.
“We decided to sponsor the event as it is crucial in fostering collaboration between business players,” Jamu said.
Wezzie Mungoni, Director of Membership Development at MCCCI, expressed gratitude for the timely donation, saying it will help them meet other costs associated with the conference.
“The donation is timely as it will help us meet other costs,” Mungoni said.
In a separate gesture, UGI has also donated K3 million to Zingwangwa United, a Southern Region Football Association Premier Division side.
The donation is intended to help the team with operational costs.
Davie Khonje, one of Zingwangwa United’s directors, thanked UGI for responding to their financial appeal.
“We are grateful to UGI for responding to our financial appeal,” Khonje said.
These donations demonstrate UGI’s commitment to supporting local businesses and sports initiatives.
The National Initiative for Civic Education (NICE) in Chiradzulu District is urging youths to play a crucial role in maintaining peace ahead of the general elections scheduled for September 16, 2025.
According to Chimwemwe Saiti, District Programmes Officer for NICE, youths are often manipulated by politicians to perpetrate violence during elections.
To address this issue, NICE has been conducting training sessions for youths and volunteers since February on the importance of maintaining peace during elections.
Chimwemwe Saiti
The training aims to empower youths with the knowledge and skills necessary to promote peaceful elections and prevent violence.
Saiti emphasized that the training is crucial in ensuring that youths understand the significance of peaceful elections and their role in promoting peace. “We want to ensure that youths are agents of peace and not perpetrators of violence,” Saiti said , adding that,”By working together, we can promote a peaceful and credible electoral process.”
NICE’s efforts to promote peace and stability during elections are part of its broader mandate to provide civic and voter education to Malawians.
The organization’s work in promoting peace and stability is crucial in ensuring that elections are conducted in a free, fair, and transparent manner.
By empowering youths with the knowledge and skills necessary to promote peace, NICE is contributing to the development of a more informed and engaged citizenry.
Peaceful elections are essential for maintaining stability and promoting democracy in Malawi.
When elections are peaceful, citizens can exercise their right to vote without fear of intimidation or violence. This, in turn, helps to build trust in the electoral process and promotes confidence in the government.
NICE’s efforts to promote peace and stability during elections are critical in ensuring that Malawi’s democracy continues to grow and develop.
By working together with other stakeholders, NICE can help to create an environment that is conducive to peaceful elections and promotes the well-being of all citizens.
NICE plays a vital role in promoting civic education and voter awareness in Malawi.Through its training sessions and outreach programs, the organization provides citizens with the knowledge and skills necessary to participate in the electoral process. By empowering citizens with information, NICE helps to promote a more informed and engaged citizenry.
In addition to promoting peace and stability during elections, NICE also provides education on the importance of participating in the electoral process.
The organization encourages citizens to exercise their right to vote and to participate in other aspects of the democratic process.
As the country prepares for the September 16 elections, NICE’s work will be critical in promoting a peaceful and credible electoral process.
The organization’s commitment to providing civic and voter education to Malawians is evident in its tireless efforts to promote peace and stability during elections.
By working together with other stakeholders, NICE can help to create an environment that is conducive to peaceful elections and promotes the well-being of all citizens.
NICE’s efforts to promote peace and stability during elections are crucial in ensuring that Malawi’s democracy continues to grow and develop.
By empowering youths with the knowledge and skills necessary to promote peace, NICE is contributing to the development of a more informed and engaged citizenry.
As the country gears up for the 2025 General Elections, the Mzimba District Youth Officer, Yamikani Nyalugwe, is urging aspirants to develop youth-centric manifestos that align with the Malawi 2063 agenda on youth empowerment. Nyalugwe emphasized the importance of harnessing the youthful population to propel an inclusively wealthy and self-reliant Malawi by 2063.
Speaking during a Manifesto Debate organized by the Women’s Legal Resource Centre (WORLEC) and Oxfam, Nyalugwe stressed that candidates should prioritize youth empowerment initiatives in their manifestos. “We need to have candidates who will champion empowerment initiatives of the youths. This is why I urge all candidates to develop manifestos that look into youths’ empowerment,” he said.
The debate aimed to drum up support for women, youths, and people with disabilities, with funding from the European Union.
One of the candidates, Maureen Moyo, an independent contestant for the Mzimba Boma Ward in Perejeki Constituency, highlighted her plans to focus on promoting people with disabilities.
Moyo’s commitment to inclusivity is a step in the right direction, considering the importance of representation and empowerment for all citizens.
The Malawi 2063 agenda envisions transforming Malawi into an inclusive, wealthy, and self-reliant industrialized upper-middle-income country.
To achieve this vision, the government has emphasized the need for a youth-centric approach, recognizing the crucial role young people play in shaping the country’s future.
A similar approach was seen in Malaysia, where the Undi18 movement successfully advocated for lowering the voting age from 21 to 18. This move not only increased youth participation in the electoral process but also led to more youth-centric manifestos and policies.
According to Tharma Pillai, co-founder and Advocacy Director of Undi18, “Malaysian politics are dominated by old people… Now, for the first time, young voters could be Malaysia’s kingmakers.”
To develop effective youth-centric manifestos, candidates should consider key areas such as education and skills development, economic empowerment, health and well-being, participation and representation, and protection and safety.
By prioritizing these areas, candidates can develop manifestos that truly address the needs and aspirations of young people in Malawi.
As Nyalugwe emphasized, “Being a largely youthful nation, there is a need for political candidates to come up with manifestos that will ensure the harnessing of the youth population to propel an inclusively wealthy and self-reliant Malawi by 2063.”
The upcoming elections present an opportunity for Malawians to choose leaders who will prioritize youth empowerment and development.
By demanding youth-centric manifestos, young people can play a crucial role in shaping the country’s future and ensuring that their needs and aspirations are addressed.
The call for youth-centric manifestos is a timely reminder of the importance of prioritizing youth empowerment and development in Malawi.
By working together, we can create a brighter future for all Malawians and ensure that the country achieves its vision of becoming an inclusive, wealthy, and self-reliant industrialized upper-middle-income country by 2063.
Malawi’s agricultural sector is at a crossroads, with experts calling for a shift towards intensive farming practices to boost productivity and food security.
According to Horace Phiri, an agricultural expert, pursuing intensive farming, especially for maize, can help free up land for farmers to diversify into high-value crops.
Phiri’s sentiments come as the National Economic Empowerment Fund is disbursing loans of over K20 billion to 30,000 farmers in 2025 alone, with the aim of promoting agriculture development.
The expert identified crops like soyabeans, groundnuts, and horticulture as high-value crops that can significantly contribute to the country’s agricultural economy.
Intensive farming involves using advanced technology and practices to increase crop yields on smaller plots of land. This approach can help Malawian farmers produce more maize on smaller areas, freeing up land for other profitable crops.
According to Phiri, “If farmers can produce more on smaller plots, they can use the remaining land for other profitable crops. This shift is vital for boosting incomes and strengthening food security.”
Maize is a staple crop in Malawi, and its production plays a critical role in the country’s food security. With the right techniques and management practices, maize yields can be significantly improved.
For instance, using raised bed planting technology can save up to 20-30% of irrigation water while increasing productivity.
Phiri’s call for diversification into high-value crops is echoed by Luwayo Biswick, a permaculture farmer from Mchinji District. Biswick believes that Malawi’s unique agricultural land presents numerous opportunities for farmers to grow a variety of crops.
However, he emphasizes the need for value addition and export promotion to tap into global markets.
“Malawi is rich in agriculture, but we must popularize our products globally,” Biswick said, adding, “Graduates from institutions like LUANAR should take farming seriously as a business to drive the sector forward.” This sentiment highlights the importance of agricultural education and training in equipping farmers with the necessary skills to succeed in the industry.
To achieve agricultural development and food security, several key areas need to be addressed. Maintaining soil health through proper management practices is crucial for sustainable agriculture.
Efficient irrigation systems and practices can help conserve water while ensuring optimal crop growth. Adding value to agricultural products can increase their market value and create new opportunities for farmers.
Promoting Malawian agricultural products globally can help farmers tap into new markets and increase their incomes.
The government’s initiative to disburse loans to farmers is a step in the right direction. However, more needs to be done to support agricultural development.
This includes providing subsidies to smallholder farmers, investing in irrigation infrastructure, and promoting agricultural research and development.
Malawi’s agricultural future hinges on the adoption of intensive farming practices and diversification into high-value crops.
With the right policies and support, farmers can increase their productivity, improve food security, and contribute to the country’s economic growth.
As Phiri noted, “This shift is vital for boosting incomes and strengthening food security.” By working together, Malawian farmers can unlock their potential and drive the agricultural sector forward.
To achieve agricultural development and food security, it is essential to increase investment in agricultural research and development, provide training and education, promote value addition and export promotion, and improve irrigation infrastructure.
By implementing these strategies, Malawi can unlock its agricultural potential and achieve food security and economic growth.
Malawi’s economic landscape is looking up, with experts predicting a strong performance in the second quarter of 2025.
According to Bertha Chikadza, President of the Economic Association of Malawi (ECAMA), the opening of tobacco auction floors and ongoing crop harvests are expected to boost foreign exchange inflows and ease food inflation pressures.
Speaking to MBC Digital, Chikadza expressed hope that these developments will have a positive impact on the country’s economy.
Her sentiments were echoed by Leslie Fatch, President of the Financial Market Dealers Association, who believes that generating more foreign exchange at the auction will spur business activities.
The tobacco industry is a significant contributor to Malawi’s economy, and the opening of the Kanengo, Chinkhoma, and Limbe auction floors is expected to increase foreign exchange earnings.
Bertha Chikadza
The auction floors will provide a platform for farmers to sell their tobacco, attracting buyers from around the world and injecting much-needed foreign currency into the economy.
The key drivers of economic growth in Malawi include the tobacco auction floors, crop harvests, and foreign exchange generation.
The opening of the tobacco auction floors is expected to boost foreign exchange inflows and increase government revenue.
Ongoing crop harvests will help ease food inflation pressures and increase food availability, reducing reliance on imports. Increased foreign exchange earnings will help stabilize the local currency and reduce pressure on the balance of payments.
Chikadza noted that the economic outlook for the second quarter of 2025 is promising, with the potential for increased economic activity and growth.
She, however, emphasized the need for continued policy support to ensure that the economy remains on a stable path.
Fatch shared similar views, stating that the increased generation of foreign exchange at the auction will have a positive impact on business activities. He added that this will help to stimulate economic growth and increase investor confidence in the country.
The Reserve Bank of Malawi regularly publishes economic reviews, providing insights into the country’s economic performance.
According to the Reserve Bank of Malawi’s economic reviews, the country’s economy is showing signs of resilience, with some sectors performing better than expected.
The World Bank’s Malawi Economic Monitor also provides an in-depth analysis of the country’s economic performance and prospects. The report highlights the challenges facing the economy, including high inflation and limited foreign exchange earnings.
However, the report also notes that Malawi’s economy has the potential for growth, driven by various sectors, including agriculture and mining.
Malawi’s economy is poised for growth, driven by the opening of tobacco auction floors and ongoing crop harvests.
Experts are optimistic about the country’s economic performance in the second quarter of 2025, citing increased foreign exchange earnings and eased food inflation pressures.
While challenges remain, the country’s economic outlook is promising, with potential for increased economic activity and growth.
Continued policy support will be crucial in ensuring that the economy remains on a stable path and that the benefits of growth are shared by all.
To sustain economic growth and development, Malawi should diversify the economy, reduce reliance on tobacco and other traditional exports by promoting non-traditional exports, improve infrastructure, invest in infrastructure development to support economic growth and increase competitiveness, and enhance policy support to ensure that the economy remains on a stable path and that growth is inclusive.
By implementing these strategies, Malawi can ensure that its economy remains on a stable path and that growth is sustained over the long term.
The country’s economic future looks bright, with potential for increased economic activity and growth.
The optimism surrounding Malawi’s economic performance is well-founded, given the expected increase in foreign exchange earnings and the potential for growth in various sectors.
As the country continues to navigate the complexities of economic development, it is essential to maintain a stable economic environment and promote inclusive growth.
With the right policies and strategies in place, Malawi can achieve sustained economic growth and development, improving the lives of its citizens and reducing poverty.
The opening of tobacco auction floors and ongoing crop harvests are just the beginning, and the country’s economic future looks promising.
Malawi’s economy is poised for growth, driven by the opening of tobacco auction floors and ongoing crop harvests.
Experts are optimistic about the country’s economic performance in the second quarter of 2025, and with the right policies and strategies in place, the country can achieve sustained economic growth and development.
