By Jones Gadama
The Parliament of Malawi has adjourned sine die, marking the end of its 51st Session, which commenced on February 14, 2025.
This conclusion signifies a crucial period in the country’s legislative calendar, with numerous pivotal decisions and bills passed that will shape the nation’s future.
The session’s key highlights offer a glimpse into the diligent efforts of the Members of Parliament to drive national progress.
President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera officially opened the 51st Session of Parliament and the 2025/2026 Budget Meeting, setting the tone for a productive legislative period.
During his State of the Nation Address (SONA), the President tackled four pre-submitted questions from Members of Parliament and responded to supplementary questions.
This dialogue between the executive and legislative branches underscores the importance of accountability and transparency in governance.
One of the significant milestones achieved during this session was the unanimous approval of Hon. Ackson Kalaile Banda’s appointment to the Parliamentary Service Commission.
This appointment demonstrates the confidence of the House in his capabilities and paves the way for effective leadership within the commission.
The 2025/2026 Budget, presented by Finance and Economic Affairs Minister Hon. Simplex Chithyola Banda, was pegged at K8.05 trillion.
This substantial budget aims to fund essential goods and services from April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026, and was subsequently passed by Parliament with a total allocation of K8.08 trillion.
The passage of the budget marks a critical step in implementing government programs and projects for the upcoming fiscal year.
Several notable bills were passed during this session, reflecting the Parliament’s commitment to addressing various aspects of national development. These include:
– *Bill No. 13 of 2025: Appropriation Bill*, which appropriates K8.08 trillion for the upcoming financial year, ensuring the government’s programs and projects are adequately funded.
– *Bill No. 14 of 2025: Supplementary Appropriation Bill*, allowing an additional K500.66 billion for the current financial year to address emerging needs.
– *Bill No. 12 of 2025: Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill*, exempting bread from value-added tax to ease the burden on citizens.
– *Bill No. 11 of 2025: Taxation (Amendment) Bill*, standardizing corporate tax rates and increasing withholding tax on betting and gambling winnings to boost revenue collection.
– *Bill No. 1 of 2025: Companies, Registrations, and Intellectual Properties Centre Bill*, enhancing the country’s intellectual property framework to promote innovation and entrepreneurship.
– *Bill No. 2 of 2025: Copyright (Amendment) Bill*, amending the Copyright Act to protect creators’ rights and foster a culture of creativity.
Other significant bills passed include:
– *Bill No. 10 of 2025: International Development Association (Ascent Malawi) Project Bill*, authorizing the Ascent Malawi Project to improve access to sustainable and clean energy.
– *Bill No. 15 of 2025: OPEC Fund for International Construction and Rehabilitation of Mangochi-Makanjira Road Project (Loan Authorisation) Bill*, authorizing a K35 billion loan from the OPEC Fund for International Development to upgrade infrastructure.
– *Bill No. 3 of 2025: Marriage, Divorce and Family Relations (Amendment) Bill*, designating the Director of National Registration Bureau as the Registrar of Marriages to streamline marriage registration processes.
– *Bill No. 8 of 2025: Prisons Bill*, repealing the outdated Prisons Act of 1956 to modernize the correctional system.
– *Bill No. 9 of 2025: Penal Code (Amendment) Bill*, introducing house detention as a form of punishment to provide alternatives to imprisonment.
– *Bill No. 22 of 2025: Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (Construction and Rehabilitation of Mangochi-Makanjira Road Project) Loan (Authorization) Bill*, authorizing a K16.8 billion loan from the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development to support infrastructure development.
The session also saw the passage of bills related to economic development, including:
– *Bill No. 19 of 2025: Foreign Exchange Bill*, repealing the outdated Exchange Control Act of 1984 and introducing a new Foreign Exchange Act to facilitate trade and investment.
– *Bill No. 20 of 2025: Tourism Industry Bill*, establishing a legal framework for the development of a robust and sustainable tourism sector to boost economic growth.
– *Bill No. 18 of 2025: Construction Industry Bill*, repealing the National Construction Industry Act and introducing new legislation to address challenges facing Malawi’s construction sector.
– *Bill No. 16 of 2025: Sugarcane Industry Bill*, establishing a comprehensive legal framework for the promotion and regulation of sugarcane cultivation
