National
CSAT urges media to use ATI Law for greater parliamentary transparency
The Centre for Social Accountability and Transparency (CSAT) has challenged media practitioners in the country to leverage the Access to Information (ATI) Law to enhance transparency and accountability in parliamentary processes, ensuring vital information reaches citizens, especially in rural areas.
The Centre for Social Accountability and Transparency (CSAT) has challenged media practitioners in the country to leverage the Access to Information (ATI) Law to enhance transparency and accountability in parliamentary processes, ensuring vital information reaches citizens, especially in rural areas.
CSAT Citizen Engagement Manager Moffat Phiri made the remarks on Thursday in Lilongwe at the end of a one-day Parliamentary Support Program Media engagement sessions on Access to Information (ATI).
According to Phiri, media professionals play a dual role: as watchdogs ensuring parliamentary accountability and as conduits relaying crucial information from parliament to the general public.
“We have seen that the media is key in relaying key information from various institutions, especially the parliament, to the rural masses of Malawi, so that the general citizenry have to understand. So today was the session which we wanted the journalists, the media fraternity to get acquainted with the access to information law so that they see how they can address the gaps they face whenever they are covering parliamentary proceedings,” said Phiri.
Phiri further added that ATI is revolutionizing transparency in the country by requiring public institutions to proactively share key information while empowering citizens and journalists to request details without fear.
“The Access to Information Law is a transformative framework that operates on two main principles. First, it is about ensuring that public institutions proactively disclose key information to promote transparency. Second, it empowers citizens and journalists to request information directly from government institutions without fear or obstruction,“explained Phiri.
One of the participants, Robert Chandilira of Blantyre Synod Radio described the training as very transformative saying that through the training they have acquired basic skills that will be helping them to easily access information from public officers to serve Malawians.
“The training was very important because they have trained us on how we can access important information. There has been some times in the past where journalists have been failing to access information from officers. But after this training, we have been told on how we can access, how we can source officers to give us the necessary information that we want,” said Chandilira.
Supported by a grant from Democracy International’s USAID-funded Parliamentary Support Programme, CSAT is implementing the Parliamentary Support Program (PSP) to strengthen Malawi’s democratic governance.
The initiative focuses on enhancing the Parliament of Malawi’s ability to effectively carry out its legislative, oversight, and representative responsibilities.
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.
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.
“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).
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
