Facing what he described as “one of the toughest economic periods in our history,” President Professor Peter Mutharika has declared a comprehensive offensive against Malawi’s economic crisis.

Opening the 52nd session of Parliament on Friday, Mutharika positioned economic recovery as his administration's paramount mission, outlining a strategy targeting foreign exchange reserves, essential supplies, and sustainable growth.

The President directly connected the nation's palpable hardships -the erratic queues for fuel, the scarcity of fertilizer, and the shortages of medical drugs -to a crippling lack of foreign currency.

“The shortage of foreign exchange has crippled key sectors and disrupted essential supplies,” Mutharika stated. “My government will not rest until stability is restored.”

A New Deal for Fuel

While the recovery plan is multi-faceted, including scaling up the Mpatamanga Hydropower Project and reforms in mining and education, one of the most immediate and significant shifts announced was the reinstatement of open tendering for fuel imports.

This move is positioned as a direct remedy to the inefficiency and corruption that have long plagued a sector critical to every facet of the economy.

“The use of open tenders will eliminate inefficiency and corruption in the procurement process,” the President asserted. “We must ensure a consistent fuel supply and deliver value for every public resource spent.”

By prioritizing transparent fuel deals, the government aims to stabilize the lifeline of the economy, ensuring that transporters, businesses, and consumers are no longer held hostage by unpredictable shortages and questionable procurement costs.

Financing Recovery and a Call for Unity

To underpin this broad strategy, Mutharika revealed that his administration is actively seeking grants and concessional loans from international partners, paired with a renewed vow for domestic fiscal discipline.

“We are working closely with our international partners including the International Monitory Fund (IMF) to secure support... At the same time, we are enforcing stronger fiscal discipline to ensure every kwacha is used for the benefit of Malawians,” he said.

Striking a conciliatory note, the President extended an olive branch to the political opposition, urging a collective effort. “The days of political fighting are over. It is time to work together and develop our country,” he declared, framing the economic challenge as a national endeavor that transcends partisan divides.

The government's plan has already garnered a positive international response. United Nations Resident Coordinator Rebecca Addah Donto commended the renewed focus, describing the measures as “an important step toward restoring stability and protecting vulnerable populations.”