The ruling Malawi Congress Party (MCP) has, over the weekend, unveiled a comprehensive manifesto aimed at taking the country’s development forward and improving the livelihoods of Malawi’s citizens. Among others, the manifesto outlines strategic priorities that address food security, job creation, and wealth generation, setting a clear developmental trajectory for the nation.
Under the banner “Make Malawi Feed Malawi,” the manifesto places a strong emphasis on achieving food security. Key initiatives include the establishment of a fertilizer manufacturing plant and the development of small-scale processing plants across all districts. Additionally, the plan includes an innovative Admarc-led initiative to process cereals and soya products, promising to enhance the availability and affordability of food in the local market.
In addressing the pressing need for job creation, the slogan “job creation – jobs4all – jobs4life” captures the President Chakwera’s commitment to economic empowerment. The manifesto proposes a range of supportive measures, including financial and tax incentives for agro-processing industries, leveraging large-scale infrastructure projects for employment opportunities, and preferential treatment for local contractors.
Notably, plans to increase the youth innovation fund to MK10 billion and reserve 40% of government procurement contracts for youth-led small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) signal a significant investment in the future of Malawi’s youth.
The manifesto further introduces a national remote work program that aims to facilitate youth upskilling and establish business process outsourcing (BPO) opportunities.
The wealth creation initiative, aptly titled “Multiplying Zikhwaya,” aims to propel economic growth through various strategic programs. President Chakwera postures his government government to continue its ambitious AGCOM, Megafarm initiative, and the Shire Valley Transformation Program, targeting the irrigation of over 43,370 hectares of land.
Chakwera has further come up with what he dubs “Ten-Ten Mwakwacha Youth Challenge”, an initiative aiming at encouraging entrepreneurship by offering 10,000 youths MK10 million each, while support for 20,000 medium-scale commercial farmers and 5,000 megafarms aims to stimulate productivity and foreign exchange earnings.
Additionally, the manifesto includes a commitment to reintroducing the “One Village, One Project” program, enhancing agro-processing through the Malawi Development Corporation (MDC) holdings, establishing structured mineral markets, and creating a sovereign wealth fund to ensure long-term financial sustainability.
This ambitious manifesto is set to invigorate the Malawian economy, potentially transforming the country into a self-sufficient power in food production and a hub for job creation and wealth generation. The MCP’s comprehensive approach aims to engage and uplift all citizens, making a concerted effort to harness the resources and talent within Malawi for a prosperous future.
The 2025/2030 MCP manifesto also highlights some of the development and public service initiatives that President Chakwera’s led government has delivered in his first term of office since 2020 as follows.
