AGP Executive Report

Clean Cooking & Carbon Finance: BURN hosted Malawi’s Natural Resources and Climate Change delegation in Njuli, near Blantyre, highlighting local stove manufacturing, 166,235 clean stoves distributed, 400 jobs created, and authorisation to generate 3.5 million carbon credits under CORSIA—supporting Malawi’s clean-cooking and emissions-cut goals. Mining Accountability & Environmental Justice: The Ombudsman launched a systemic probe into Malawi’s mining sector, focusing on transparency, accountability, and environmental justice, including displacement and compensation concerns. CDF Cash Flow Unlock: Government directed local councils to submit cash-flow requirements to unlock delayed Constituency Development Fund financing, tied to signed or evaluated procurement sums. El Niño Food Risk: Experts warn that El Niño could peak in 2026/27 and hit health and food systems, while underfunded agricultural extension services (as low as 1% of the sector budget) threaten yields as the season approaches. Gold Smuggling Pressure: Malawi may be losing up to US$700m in gold annually to smuggling, with government pushing for formal buying points and cooperative-based support to bring trade into the legal economy. Women’s Leadership & Climate Resilience Skills: LEAP Africa wrapped its leadership accelerator for young women across 48 countries, selecting 31—including from Malawi—for a Nairobi boot camp focused on leadership and policy influence.

El Niño Watch: Experts warn a potentially record-breaking El Niño may peak in Nov 2026–Jan 2027, bringing extreme heat, drought, floods and health and food risks, with the UN calling for a $202m anticipatory action push for high-risk countries including in Africa. Farm Support Under Strain: As El Niño looms, Malawi’s agricultural extension services are severely underfunded—receiving 1% or less of the sector budget—leaving a farmer-to-extension-worker ratio of about 1:4,500 and threatening yield gains. Social Protection Funding Pressure: Malawi’s Social Cash Transfer Programme is reportedly funded about 95% by development partners, raising concerns that donor priorities are shaping decisions meant to be nationally owned. Girls’ Rights in Health Care: PAC guidelines for post-abortion care are still missing in public facilities after a court deadline passed, leaving raped minors denied safe services and forced to drop out of school. Gold Smuggling Losses: Government says Malawi may be losing up to $700m in gold annually to smuggling, and plans formal buying points closer to mining communities. Digital Divide: A GSMA report finds 80% of Malawians remain offline despite coverage, saying targeted digital reforms could unlock MWK 1.1 trillion and jobs. Water Cooperation: Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania signed the Ruvuma/Rovuma Establishment Agreement to strengthen transboundary water management for shared rivers, supporting water supply, agriculture and biodiversity.

El Niño & farming support: Malawi’s extension services are so underfunded that yield gains are at risk as El Niño approaches, with extension getting 1% or less of the agri budget and farmer-to-worker ratios swelling to about 1:4,500. Agriculture & food security: Policy experts warn that gaps in “software” support like technical help and market support are worsening, while the Constituency Development Fund is failing to fill the shortfall. Gold smuggling & environment-linked livelihoods: Government says Malawi may be losing up to US$700m in gold annually through smuggling, pushing a plan to set up formal buying points closer to mining communities to bring trade into the legal economy. Water & ecosystems: Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania signed the Ruvuma/Rovuma Establishment Agreement to create a basin commission, aiming for more inclusive management of shared waters that support agriculture, fisheries and biodiversity. Digital access for resilience: A GSMA report finds 80% of Malawians remain offline despite coverage, warning that closing the usage gap could unlock MWK 1.1 trillion in value and jobs by 2030. Policy & governance: Malawi 2063 planning is under strain, with the National Planning Commission saying the economy may need 14% growth and that financing gaps and weak execution are holding back delivery.

Gold Smuggling: Malawi may be losing over US$700 million in gold each year through illegal trade, with government pushing for formal gold buying centres and mobile units so miners can sell legally. Mining Cooperatives: Mining Minister Thoko Tembo says lack of equipment is blocking small-scale gold cooperatives, and government is talking to banks to fund machinery access. Social Protection Funding: Malawi’s Social Cash Transfer Programme is flagged as heavily donor-driven, with research saying development partners cover about 95% of financing and shape key decisions. Forex Pressure: Malawi’s forex reserves rose to $616.3m (2.5 months of imports), but economists warn shortages will persist without stronger, diversified exports. Digital Access: A GSMA report finds 80% of Malawians remain offline despite network coverage, while digital reforms could unlock MWK 1.1 trillion in value. EU Support: The EU commits €143m (plus €13m budget support) for agriculture, energy, education, skills and social protection. Water Cooperation: Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania sign the Ruvuma/Rovuma Establishment Agreement to strengthen transboundary river basin management. Climate/Environment Angle: Deep-ocean mineral mining is accelerating globally, with Africa’s land and seabed resources increasingly targeted.

Forex Watch: Malawi’s foreign exchange reserves rose to $616.3m in June 2026 (2.5 months of import cover), up from $596.5m in May, but economists warn the gain may be temporary and still won’t fix shortages for businesses and travellers. Energy Access: The energy ministry says forex priority is needed for Marep Phase 9 after delays left imported equipment stranded abroad, showing how currency bottlenecks can slow rural electrification. Land & Wildlife Under Pressure: Illegal gold mining is leaving “deep scars” in Nsanje’s Mwabvi Wildlife Reserve and Matandwe Forest Reserve, as protected habitats are cut and dug up. Gold Smuggling Crackdown: Government plans gold buying centres in mining areas to curb an estimated $700m in annual gold smuggled out of Malawi. EU Support for Resilience: The EU pledged €143m (plus €13m budget support) for climate-resilient agriculture, energy, education and social protection. Digital Gap: A GSMA report says 80% of Malawians remain offline despite coverage, and targeted digital reforms could unlock MWK 1.1 trillion and 490,000 jobs by 2030.

Transboundary Water: Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania signed the Ruvuma/Rovuma Establishment Agreement to set up a River Basin Commission, aiming for more inclusive management of shared waters that support water supply, agriculture, fisheries and biodiversity. Land & Wildlife Under Pressure: Illegal gold mining is leaving “scars” in Nsanje’s protected areas, with trenches and habitat destruction spreading toward Mwabvi Wildlife Reserve and Matandwe Forest Reserve. Climate Resilience & Food Security: Malawi is urged to rethink farm input strategy ahead of an El Niño threat, as the strongest El Niño on record could push up food prices across regions. Energy Access Bottleneck: The Energy Ministry says forex shortages are delaying Marep Phase 9, leaving imported equipment stranded and slowing rural electrification progress. Digital Inclusion: A GSMA report finds 80% of Malawians live within mobile broadband coverage but don’t use mobile internet; fixing device affordability and skills could unlock MWK 1.1 trillion and 490,000 jobs by 2030. EU Funding for Green Growth: The EU committed €143m (plus €13m budget support) to back climate-resilient agriculture, energy efficiency, skills and social protection.

Protected Areas Under Threat: Illegal gold mining is leaving deep scars in Nsanje, with Mwabvi Wildlife Reserve and Matandwe Forest Reserve being encroached—digging holes, cutting trees and destroying wildlife habitat. Land Degradation Pushes Global Action: Malawi is attending the UN desertification talks in Mongolia as land degradation erodes nearly $900bn a year and about 80% of Malawi’s land is degraded, with talks focused on turning restoration pledges into real financing. Climate Risk for Farmers: Malawi is being urged to redesign farm input support ahead of possible El Niño impacts, with different regions needing different approaches rather than one uniform package. Energy Access Bottleneck: The Energy Ministry says forex shortages are delaying Marep Phase 9, leaving imported equipment stranded abroad and slowing rural electrification. Digital Inclusion Gap: A GSMA report finds 80% of Malawians live within mobile broadband coverage but don’t use mobile internet, even though targeted reforms could unlock MWK 1.1 trillion and 490,000 jobs by 2030. EU Funding Boost: The EU committed €143m (plus €13m budget support) for agriculture, energy, education, skills and social protection, stressing accountability in spending. Gold Markets Plan: Government is set to open gold buying centres from September to give miners legal markets and curb smuggling, after estimates of over $700m leaving Malawi annually outside government channels.

Land Restoration Finance: Delegates at the UNCCD talks in Ulaanbaatar are pushing to turn land restoration pledges into real money and action as land degradation costs the world nearly $900m a year and Malawi has about 80% degraded land. Protected Areas Under Pressure: A growing gold rush is damaging Nsanje’s Mwabvi Wildlife Reserve and Matandwe Forest Reserve, with illegal miners cutting trees and digging pits that destroy wildlife habitat. Energy Access Blocked by Forex: Malawi’s Marep Phase 9 is delayed again because imported equipment is stuck overseas while government agencies and contractors struggle to access foreign exchange. Climate-Smart Farming for El Niño: Malawi is being urged to redesign farm input support by agro-ecological zone ahead of possible El Niño impacts, with different fertiliser strategies for the north versus the south and stronger early warning and food protection measures. Digital Inclusion Push: A GSMA report says 80% of Malawians live within mobile broadband coverage but don’t use mobile internet, warning that device affordability, skills and energy/forex constraints must be tackled to unlock MWK 1.1 trillion in value and 490,000 jobs by 2030. Lake Malawi Wildlife Science: New research on Lake Malawi’s lake-fly larvae shows they can dive deeper than expected thanks to strong air sacs, helping explain how insects survive in oxygen-poor deep waters.

Climate & Food Security: Malawi is being urged to redesign farm input support ahead of El Niño, with research warning that Northern and Southern regions may need different fertiliser and seed approaches as rainfall patterns diverge. Agriculture & Soil Health: A debate is growing over Malawi’s Farm Input Subsidy Programme making Mbeya organic fertiliser compulsory—critics say it risks replacing mineral fertiliser just as budgets shrink, unless nutrient quality is properly tested. Energy & Environment: Egenco says Malawi’s electricity generation capacity is struggling to keep up with demand, pointing to unstable supply as grid expansion outpaces new generation—raising pressure for cleaner, faster power solutions. Water, Sanitation & Health: Beautify Malawi (BEAM) is partnering with the Police Women Welfare Association to improve hygiene and sanitation in police stations and surrounding areas, linking cleaner environments to better public health. Biodiversity & Research: Scientists studying Lake Malawi report that lake flies can dive deep using stretchy air sacs, challenging old ideas about why insects don’t live in the ocean. Regional Policy: SADC leaders back a regional agenda that includes climate-resilient industrialisation and agricultural transformation, shaping how countries plan for shared environmental and economic pressures.

Lake Malawi science: Researchers report deep-diving Chaoborus edulis larvae can descend over 650 feet using stretchy air sacs, challenging the idea that pressure blocks insects from the ocean. Sanitation in police stations: Beautify Malawi (BEAM) Trust partners with the Police Women Welfare Association to improve hygiene and sanitation in police environments, linking cleaner surroundings to better service and healthier families. Health systems and NCDs: African health leaders urge countries to plug noncommunicable disease services, medicines and diagnostics into Universal Health Coverage reforms, as NCD deaths keep rising. El Niño food pressure: A Malawi-focused brief recommends tailoring input subsidies by agro-ecological zone and strengthening early warning and cash-for-work plans to manage El Niño impacts. Electricity strain: Egenco says generation capacity is lagging peak demand, warning that grid expansion must be matched with new generation to avoid unstable supply. Maize prices rising: Ifpri data shows maize up 8% in July, with southern Malawi hit hardest, even as imports help cap worse spikes. Climate-smart crops: CIP and partners release new potato and sweetpotato varieties in Malawi and the region aimed at climate stress and disease pressure. SADC push: SADC leaders back industrialisation, infrastructure, agricultural transformation and critical minerals, with Malawi’s President-elect and other heads endorsing the regional agenda. WAFCON momentum: Malawi’s Scorchers’ historic run to the final and World Cup qualification keeps the spotlight on high-performance planning and youth development.

Sanitation Push in Police Stations: BEAM Trust has partnered with the Malawi Police Women Welfare Association to improve hygiene and sanitation in police stations and surrounding areas, with training and support also planned through links with MOAM and ISAMA. El Niño Food Shock Warning: A super El Niño is expected to intensify through 2027, with central bankers flagging food inflation risks; Malawi’s insurance sector says agricultural cover is still under 10%, leaving farmers exposed. Maize Prices Bite Households: Maize rose 8% in July to K791/kg, with Ifpri noting imports helped cap further spikes, but structural farm problems remain. NFRA Stocking for Lean Season: NFRA has bought 26,663MT of maize toward a 108,000MT target, aiming to preposition grain in shortage areas ahead of rains. School Hygiene Drive: BEAM Trust also signed an MoU with ISAMA to train schools on hygiene and sanitation to cut disease risks. Environmental Health & AI: Malawi’s environmental health professionals are meeting to discuss how AI can speed up detection and prevention of outbreaks tied to water, waste and sanitation. Urban Planning for Lake Malawi: Nkhata-Bay District Council plans to expand toward Mkondezi to reduce congestion and replace unplanned structures with regulated development. Road Bonds Financing Roads: The Roads Fund Administration says “road bonds” let Malawi front-load road projects and repay via fuel levy proceeds, including major works around Lilongwe.

School Hygiene Push: Beautify Malawi (BEAM) Trust signed an MoU with ISAMA to train schools and boost cleanliness and sanitation to cut disease risks. Climate Risk & Insurance: As Super El Niño threatens the next season, Malawi’s insurance sector says farm cover is still under 10%, with subsistence farmers needing subsidies. Maize Price Pressure: Maize rose 8% in July to K791/kg, with experts warning prices could stay elevated even as imports help cap retail spikes. Food Security Stocks: NFRA bought 26,663MT of maize (against a 108,000MT target), spending K23.99bn so far, and plans prepositioning for shortage areas. Agro-Resilience Debate: Reporting highlights how degraded soils, erratic rains and high fertilizer costs keep smallholders trapped in low maize yields, pushing calls for more diverse, resilient farming. Flood-Proof Innovation: A Beekon floating hive system is gaining attention as floods increase, offering safer shelter for bee colonies. Energy for Climate-Proofing: Malawi is betting on battery storage to reduce blackouts as climate shocks hit hydro and solar reliability. Regional Migration Talks: SADC leaders backed South Africa’s call for coordinated dialogue on migration drivers after anti-immigrant protests affected neighbours, including Malawi.

Road Finance & Fuel Levies: Malawi’s Roads Fund Administration says “road bonds” are loans repaid gradually from fuel levy proceeds, letting government front-load projects like the Area 49 Presidential Drive dual carriageway and Area 18 Interchange—meaning motorists effectively pay now for roads built ahead of future levy collections. Food Security Pressure: Maize prices rose 8% in a month to K791/kg, with southern Malawi hit hardest, as a weakening kwacha and import dynamics shape retail costs. Soil, Climate & Farming Limits: A new look at Malawi’s “green revolution” style practices warns they can trap smallholders, while degraded soils, erratic rains and high fertilizer costs keep harvest growth flat for decades. Regional Climate-Linked Planning: SADC leaders meeting in Durban under “Resilient, Sustainable and Inclusive Industrialisation” also flagged infrastructure and agricultural transformation—key themes for Malawi’s climate resilience. Flood-Proofing Nature: The Beekon hive system is gaining attention for helping honeybees survive floods by floating with rising water, using recycled plastic and standard frames. Biodiversity & Wildlife Safety: A report highlights the arrest of a pangolin trader in Mangochi with a live pangolin, underscoring ongoing wildlife protection needs.

El Niño and water security: Malawi’s Irrigation and Water Development Ministry says it is stepping up El Niño preparedness, including rehabilitating 200 non-functional boreholes and building 100 climate-resilient ones to protect groundwater and reduce risks of cholera, typhoid and diarrhoea. Flood-proof beekeeping: A Beekon hive system made from recycled plastic is helping honeybees survive rising floods by floating automatically as water levels rise and settling back when they recede. Cleaner, safer hospital support: QECH in Blantyre has received a renovated guardian shelter to give caregivers safer, more hygienic accommodation during bad weather. Green jobs and e-waste: Zambia, Japan and the ILO launched a sustainable e-waste management project aimed at circular-economy practices and youth employment. Local governance and planning: Nkhata-Bay District Council plans to expand the town toward Mkondezi and enforce new bylaws to curb unplanned structures. Accountability in public spending: Malawi’s Speaker warns MPs will intensify oversight to track every kwacha and ensure budgets “trickle down” properly.

SADC Diplomacy: Malawi’s Second Vice-President Enoch Kanzingeni Chihana landed in Durban to represent the country at the SADC Organ Troika Summit and the 46th Heads of State meeting, with the bloc pushing “resilient, sustainable and inclusive industrialisation” through infrastructure, agriculture and critical minerals. El Niño & Water Security: Malawi’s Irrigation and Water Development Ministry says it’s stepping up El Niño preparedness—rehabilitating 200 non-functional boreholes and building 100 climate-resilient ones—to protect groundwater and reduce risks of cholera, typhoid and diarrhoea. Safe Water Push (WASH): Government launched a Presidential Compact on WASH, aiming for 85% safe rural water and 100% urban access by 2030, under one national programme to fix coordination and financing gaps. Health & Hygiene at QECH: A renovated guardian shelter was handed over to Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, giving over 180 caregivers a month safer, more hygienic accommodation during bad weather. Wildlife & Justice: The Human Rights Consultative Committee urged the DPP to discontinue fresh corruption proceedings against convicted wildlife trafficker Lin Yunhua, arguing he has already served his sentence. Conservation & Community: Malawi’s mining functions are set to be devolved to district councils, with CSOs backing the move for stronger local oversight—if councils get real resources. Food & Climate Costs: Global staple prices rose as heatwaves and energy costs bite, while Malawi’s hunger outlook improved after a stronger 2025/26 harvest.

El Niño Water Prep: Malawi’s Irrigation and Water Development Ministry says it’s ramping up El Niño readiness with plans to rehabilitate 200 non-functional boreholes and build 100 climate-resilient ones, warning that falling groundwater and broken supply systems could push millions toward unsafe water and boost cholera, typhoid and diarrhoea risks. WASH Push: Government has launched a Presidential Compact on WASH aiming to lift safe water access to 85% in rural areas and 100% in urban areas by 2030, while sanitation access is still stuck around 40% nationally. Wildlife & Justice: The Human Rights Consultative Committee is urging Malawi’s DPP to discontinue fresh corruption proceedings against convicted wildlife trafficker Lin Yunhua, arguing he has already served his sentence and is being selectively prosecuted. Mining Devolution: Civil society groups welcome plans to devolve some mining functions to district councils, saying it could improve transparency and local oversight—if councils get enough money and technical capacity. E-Waste Jobs (Region): Zambia, Japan and the ILO launched a sustainable e-waste management project to protect the environment while creating green jobs for youth.