National
CEPA launches project to address poor waste disposal in Blantyre, Lilongwe
Centre for Environmental Policy and Advocacy (CEPA) has launched a multimillion-kwacha Promoting organic Systems of Soil Improvement to Build a Lasting Economy (POSSIBLE) Project, which has been initiated to help in addressing the problem of waste management in the cities of Blantyre and Lilongwe.
Centre for Environmental Policy and Advocacy (CEPA) has launched a multimillion-kwacha Promoting organic Systems of Soil Improvement to Build a Lasting Economy (POSSIBLE) Project, which has been initiated to help in addressing the problem of waste management in the cities of Blantyre and Lilongwe.
CEPA is implementing the project in partnership with partnership with WASTE Advisers and Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS). The 36-month project, which runs from December 2022 – December 2025, has a total budget of EUR 1, 263, 158 out of which EUR1, 200, 000 is from the European Union (EU).
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Speaking to journalists after the launch, EU Head of Cooperation, Ivo Hoefkens, challenged residents, government and non-state actors to collaborate in managing waste.
Hoefkens stated that although ‘this is a small investment compared to other programs that we have in Malawi’.
“But I think it will have a big impact because it addresses issues of wastes management, which is a problem in city and at the same time the issues of fertilizer, which has become extremely expensive and actually it has also become harmful to the soils. So, using the wastes and transforming it to compost, which is better, produces bigger yields for the farmers, it is a win-win situation for everybody,” he said.
He added, “Because it’s clear that chemical fertilizer it’s not working properly, it is extracting nutrients from the soil, we have held today, a lot of soils in Malawi have a reached a point where using fertilizers is reducing productivity. So, it is high time that we find out solutions that do better.”
CEPA Executive Director Herbert Mwalukomo said it is possible for Malawi to transform agricultural system if farmers can realize the importance of using compost for increasing soil fertility.
Mwalukomo stated that Malawi cannot continue relying on chemical fertilizer because of the harm it is causing to the soil health.
“Looking at where we are coming from and crisis that we have in terms of soil health, we cannot continue relying on chemical fertilizers forever because the more we do so the more we are decreasing crop yields because of so many factors, including the acidification of our soils and the loss of organic matter,” he said.
Mayor for Lilongwe City Council, Councillor Richard Banda, described POSSIBLE Project as very important to both cities, saying it will help in reducing the amount of garbage residents are generating on a daily basis.
“As a city council there is a big task we have to play the one of these roles is that we suppose to tell people on how they can be correcting these gabadges from the cities and we also need to work hand in hand with the ministry of Agriculture, so that most of farmers should also be part of the team in correcting the wastes in the cities and do composite manure in their areas, so that in this case we can decrease wastes in the cities,” he said.
Director of Land Resources Management in the Ministry of Agriculture, Gertrude Kambauwa, said the project is in line with other interventions the ministry is undertaking, including promoting use of organic manure to improve soil health and increase production.
“This project is very important because it will help us in our efforts we are already taking to promote organic manure utilization. And for us in this work, our interest will be on the volumes of manure that will be produced so that are easily accessible to all farmers that would want to use it because we have a challenge in the sense that to produce compost, which is enough, for example, to an acre a farmer would need to do much more,” said Kambauwa.
National
RBM Strengthens Blood Services with Tent Donation
The Reserve Bank of Malawi has donated four tents to the Malawi Blood Transfusion Service to facilitate blood collection activities. RBM representatives praised MBTS’s vital role in public health, emphasizing their commitment to community initiatives. The tents aim to enhance donor comfort and efficiency during mobile blood collection, addressing logistical challenges.
The Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting life-saving initiatives by donating four tents to the Malawi Blood Transfusion Service (MBTS) to enhance its blood collection activities.
Speaking during the handover ceremony at the MBTS Lilongwe Centre, RBM representative Boston Banda, speaking on behalf of the Governor, described MBTS as a “silent national hero” for its tireless role in saving lives through blood collection and transfusion services.
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Banda said the donation reflects RBM’s dedication to initiatives that positively impact communities in line with the Bank’s Corporate Social Investment Policy
“At RBM, we believe in contributing to causes that make a real difference in people’s lives. MBTS plays a critical role in safeguarding public health, and we are proud to be part of that effort,” he said.
Receiving the donation, MBTS Board Chairperson Elizabeth Gondwe expressed appreciation for the Bank’s continued partnership, noting that the tents will improve donor comfort and efficiency during mobile blood collection exercises.
She added that the donation would help the institution overcome logistical challenges that often hinder smooth operations during field blood collection
“These tents will provide comfort and protection to our blood donors, especially during outreach exercises where weather conditions can be harsh,” Gondwe said.
The central bank’s latest donation follows a previous contribution of branded T-shirts to MBTS, underscoring its continued partnership in promoting voluntary blood donation across the country.
National
UN Chief congratulates Mutharika on return to power, pledges continued cooperation
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has congratulated President Arthur Peter Mutharika on his return to power, pledging continued UN cooperation with Malawi on peace, human rights, climate action, and gender equality under his new administration.
The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has extended his warm congratulations to President Arthur Peter Mutharika on his inauguration as President of the Republic of Malawi, pledging continued collaboration between the UN and the Malawian Government on key areas of mutual interest.
In a congratulatory message, Guterres expressed confidence that the United Nations would continue to enjoy Malawi’s support on global issues including peace and security, human rights, climate action, and sustainable development.
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“I wish to convey my warm congratulations and best wishes to you on your inauguration as President of the Republic of Malawi. I am confident that the United Nations will continue to enjoy your support on issues of common interest,” Guterres wrote.
The UN Chief has also commended the election of Dr. Jane Mayemu Ansah SC as Vice-President, describing it as a positive step toward advancing gender equality and the political participation of women in Malawi.
“I applaud the election of Dr. Jane Mayemu Ansah as Vice-President and encourage further efforts by your Government towards gender parity at all levels,” Guterres stated.
Reaffirming the UN’s commitment to Malawi’s development, Guterres said the global body would continue supporting the government and people of Malawi in their pursuit of a prosperous future, through the work of the UN Country Team led by the Resident Coordinator.
President Mutharika, who was sworn in on Saturday, returned to the presidency following the 2025 elections, marking a significant political comeback.
National
MERA raises fuel prices by up to 33.16% effective October 1
MERA has raised fuel prices by up to 33.16 percent effective October 1, with petrol now at K3,499 per litre and diesel at K3,500, citing higher importation costs and exchange rate pressures.
The Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (MERA) has hiked fuel prices by up to MERA raises fuel prices by up to 33.16 percent, with new pump prices set to take effect on October 1, 2025.
Petrol will now sell at K3,499 per litre from K2,530 (a 38.3% increase), while diesel will go up to K3,500 per litre from K2,734 (a 28% increase).
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According to MERA, the price adjustment follows a sharp rise in landed costs of petroleum products, driven by a higher average market exchange rate of K2,350.00 per US dollar compared to the official rate of K1,751.00.
Board Chairperson Charles Kambauwa explained that although Free-On-Board (FoB) prices for petrol and diesel had dropped by 10.64 percent and 18.14 percent respectively, importation costs escalated due to freight, railage, insurance, handling, and in-transit losses.
“These factors increased In-Bond Landed Costs by 52.42 percent for petrol and 49.67 percent for diesel, pushing the changes beyond the ±5 percent trigger limit under the Automatic Pricing Mechanism,” Kambauwa said.
He added that the hike was necessary to ensure sustainable fuel supply and cost-reflective pricing.
The development is expected to raise transportation costs and put additional pressure on the cost of living, with economists warning of a fresh round of inflationary shocks.
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RBM Strengthens Blood Services with Tent Donation
