MANAonline
Man arrested for theft in Lilongwe
By Austine kananji
Lilongwe, June 23, Mana: Lilongwe Police is keeping in custody, a 30-year-old Mundida Jusa, on suspicion that he broke into a Mukuru Office at Area 3, and stole a computer set among others, all valued at K4 million on June 20, 2025.
According to the Lilongwe Police Deputy Public Relations Officer, Sergeant Khumbo Sanyiwa, last week Friday during night time, the suspect who once worked at the place as a security guard, gained entry into the office through the roof after cutting iron sheets.
"He stole a computer set, monitor and a kettle.
“The suspect was discovered and apprehended by watchmen as he tried to get exit through the roof while in possession of the stolen items,” she stated.
He will appear in court soon to answer breaking and theft charges.
Mundida Jusa hails from Kalumbu Village, Traditional Authority Njolomole in Ntcheu District.
Chakwera hails 32nd AFREXIM Bank annual meeting
By Sheminah Nkhoma
Lilongwe, June 23, Mana: President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera has praised the upcoming 32nd Annual Meeting of the African Export-Import Bank (Afrexim Bank), to be held in Nigeria, stating that it will contribute significantly to economic growth and industrialization.
Speaking after he inspected the Guard of Honour at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe before his departure to Abuja, Chakwera said the meeting will focus on the implementation of the deals that have been agreed some years back for the nation to achieve Malawi 2063 agenda.
“Now it is the time to see the action of the agreements that have been happening and to discuss the future of Africa in terms of trade relations,” he said.
The Malawi leader will join other African and Caribbean leaders in high-level talks and hold bilateral meetings, including Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu, to promote Malawi's investment opportunities in agriculture, energy, and infrastructure.
President Chakwera is expected to attend the African Export - Import Bank annual meeting from 25th to 27 June 2025, which will be held under the theme : Building the Future on Decades of Resilience.
Among other things the bank has been funding developmental projects in Malawi including improving and upscaling value-added exports from Malawi to the regional and international markets.
Feature: Affordable solar power brightens rural homes in Malawi
By Patience Kapinda
Lilongwe, June 23th, Mana: Like many a household in rural Malawi, the household of one, Victoria Gama, of Mmanja Village in the area of Traditional Authority Mavwere in Mchinji district had, until in recent years, relied on either candles or battery-powered torches for light.
This had always affected progress among the rural livelihoods in the areas of education, businesses and other social activities.
"The use of a candle for lighting was dangerous and limiting in so many ways," explained Gama in an interview with Malawi News Agency (Mana).
But the situation is no longer the same at Gama's household, and at many rural households across the country, following the introduction of the Malawi Electricity Access Project (MEAP), an initiative funded by the World Bank, and supported by the government of Malawi.
MEAP, is spearheading efforts to bring affordable off-grid solar power to underserved communities, like that of Gama, and many such households in rural areas.
According to the Ministry of Energy Spokesperson, Austin Theu, since its launch in 2019, MEAP has provided electricity access to over 140,000 households, lifting Malawi’s electrification rate from 19 percent to about 23 percent, with ambitious plans to reach 28 percent by the end of 2025, and 50 percent by 2030.
Theu added that under MEAP, over 249,690 off-grid solar installations were registered nationwide as of March 2025, surpassing the project's original target by more than 25 percent, benefiting over 1 million people.
This impressive milestone is attributed to the effectiveness of MEAP and growing public demand for clean, reliable energy.
At the heart of MEAP’s success is the Ngwee Ngwee Ngwee Fund (NNNF), which supports solar companies through concessional loans and grants.
"The fund has disbursed 13.9 million U.S. dollars in loans, and 3.7 million U.S. dollars in grants under its main window," explained Theu.
"Additionally, a sum of 307,082 U.S. dollars has been released under the Market Catalyst Fund (MCF), representing 54 percent of the available grant, to assist companies operating in last-mile communities where delivery costs are higher," added Theu.
The government is also promoting inclusivity by supporting Pay-As-You-Go (PAYG) solar products, making it easier for low-income and rural families to access electricity without large upfront costs.
To ensure more even reach, the End User Subsidy under the NNNF helps bridge the affordability gap for eligible households, particularly in underserved areas.
It is through this bridge that Victoria Gama, benefitted from the program by purchasing a solar home lighting kit through the NNNF-supported company, Yellow Solar, and she now has four solar-powered bulbs lighting her home.
“Now, with the installed solar power, my home is bright, and life is easier and safer than when I used to light the house with candles," explained Gama.
Beyond lighting, Gama's solar system includes a built-in FM radio, making current affairs accessible to the household.
The solar energy is also creating savings and improving livelihoods in the rural areas, as another resident, Ackson Mutopa, from Mkhase Village, TA Mavwere, Mchinji, testified.
Mutopa said he no longer pays any fee to charge his phone at the market, and no longer buys batteries for his torch as was the case before.
Institutions such as schools in Mchinji are also benefiting from the solar lighting under MEAP, making learning and studying easier than before when learners had to use alternative sources of light, including candles.
“Solar lighting helps learners study in the evenings, resulting in improved attendance and academic performance: the solar lighting motivates and supports learners to excel in their studies,” explained Patrick Njobvu, Head Teacher at Waliranji Full Primary School in the district.
The solar lighting has become an in-thing in many rural households across Malawi, and the demand is growing by the day, according to George Zikani, agent for Yellow Solar company.
“Biolite is a fast-moving product in many villages because of its price and features,” Zikani told Mana in an interview. “Since November 2023, we’ve reached over 50 households – and the demand keeps growing.”
To ensure quality and sustainability, MEAP is working closely with licensed Off-Grid Solar (OGS) companies and regulatory institutions like Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (MERA), Malawi Bureau of Standards (MBS), and Malawi Regulatory Authority (MRA).
The Ministry of Energy is also collaborating with local and international experts to strengthen project implementation, according to Theu, Ministry’s spokesperson.
“The Ministry uses tools like the Multi-Tier Energy Access Survey to measure impact – not just by counting connections, but by evaluating energy reliability, usage, and quality,” explained Theu,
He added: “We’ve also introduced a Remote Monitoring Platform to track solar system performance in real time.”
MEAP’s Monitoring and Evaluation frameworks further capture the social and economic impact of the project, from improved lighting in schools and clinics to income generation for rural micro-enterprises powered by solar.
As Malawi pursues its Vision 2063 goal of 50 percent national electricity access by 2030, off-grid solar continues to play a vital role, illuminating not just homes, but pathways to better health, education, and opportunity.
Chakwera Reaffirms Commitment to Sports Development
By Tabbu Kitta Kauye
Lilongwe, June 23, Mana: President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera has urged the youth participating in the incoming 11th African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Regional 5 youth Games to believe in themselves and seize the moment by striving to bring more medals home.
President Chakwera made the remarks at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe during a send-off ceremony for 165 youth athletes representing Malawi in various sporting disciplines in Windhoek Namibia.
Chakwera told the youth that their victory should not be determined by their physical size, strength and appearance but their determination, courage and inner spirit.
“It is not the dog in the fight that determines the victory but it is the fight in the dog," said Chakwera.
He also said his government will continue to support the development and promotion of all sports disciplines in the country.
“It is for this reason that my government included sports development as one of the priority areas in the Malawi 2063, under the Human Capital Development, to ensure that sports is recognised and supported like any other development sector in the country,” said Chakwera.
While noting that the performance of sporting activities has been poor for the past twenty years, the president said time has now come to address whatever factors stalled the progress of the country’s sports development.
Board Chairperson for Malawi National Sports Council Dr. Sunduzwayo Madise, commended government through the leadership of Dr. Lazarus Chakwera for the unwavering support to the sports development initiatives in the country.
Madise said in the same spirit of supporting sports development, the youth athletes are implored to be as dynamites, ready to explode on the Namibian soil and make Malawi proud.
Speaking on behalf of the athletes, Pempho Datchi pledged to compete with heart, courage and discipline in order to raise the Malawi flag high.
“We are going to represent our families, our communities and our nation. We are going as proud sons and daughters of Malawi, ready to compete,” declared Datchi.
“This year’s theme, own your moment, speaks directly to us, it reminds us that our time is now, it is our moment to rise and show Malawi what Malawian youths are made of,” he added.
The AUSC regional 5 games is a specialised technical office of the African Union, responsible for sports development and coordination across the African continent.
This year the youth games will be held in Windhoek Namibia under the theme, “own your moment”.
165 youth athletes in various sports disciplines like basketball, Judo, swimming, football, e-sports, football, volleyball and many others from Malawi are expected to attend the regional games from 4th to 13th July.
Malawi launches national Hackathon to spur digital innovation and research
By Paul Madise, Mana
Lilongwe, June 23, MANA: The Ministry of Higher Education has announced the 2025 Malawi Hackathon Competition, a landmark national event designed to boost scientific research, innovation, and digital transformation.
Scheduled to run from August 31 to September 5, 2025, the hackathon will be hosted in partnership with the Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST) and the Malawi Research and Education Network (MAREN).
The competition will tap into the recently secured High Performance Computing (HPC) facility, a supercomputer acquired through the SADC Cyber-Infrastructure initiative and currently housed at MAREN.
The facility is expected to significantly enhance Malawi’s research capabilities and support the development of data-driven solutions to pressing national issues.
In a statement signed by Secretary for Higher Education, Dr. Levis Keliyasi Eneya, the hackathon is positioned as a strategic step toward building national capacity in advanced computing and innovation.
“This hackathon will bring together young minds, experts, and industry players to create digital solutions for Malawi’s development challenges. It is a critical investment in our future,” said Dr. Eneya.
The announcement comes on the heels of the SADC Council of Ministers Meeting on Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, held in Harare, Zimbabwe, from June 17 to 20, 2025.
At the summit, 26 resolutions were adopted, including Decision 10, which encourages member states to implement the SADC Cyber-Infrastructure Framework and develop local high-performance computing capabilities.
During the session, Minister of Higher Education, Hon. Dr. Jessie Kabwila, announced Malawi’s intention to host the HPC Hackathon, reaffirming the country’s commitment to regional collaboration and youth empowerment.
She emphasized the importance of equipping the next generation with advanced skills, aligned with labor market trends highlighted in the World Economic Forum’s 2025–2030 Future of Jobs report.
The hackathon will focus on innovation across strategic sectors such as education, health, energy, agriculture, tourism, mining, finance, industry, trade, transport, and security.
Participants will be expected to develop digital and technological solutions that are practical, scalable, and responsive to real-world challenges.
According to the Ministry, the objectives of the hackathon include developing new technological tools aligned with the ATMM Strategy recognizing and rewarding outstanding innovations establishing incubation and accelerator programmes fostering professional networks and promoting the creation of patentable intellectual property.
Beyond the competition, the event aims to cultivate a strong culture of entrepreneurship and collaboration by bringing together students, researchers, tech developers, donors, and industry leaders.
Participants will also benefit from mentorship opportunities, skills-building sessions, and exposure to investment networks.
The hackathon marks a significant step in realizing Malawi 2063 aspirations and positioning the nation as a digital innovation hub in the region.
Fisherman's boxing rescheduled to a later day
By Petro Mkandawire
Blantyre, June 23, Mana: A boxing event that was scheduled to take place at Brematt Muitpurpose Hall in Mchesi, Lilongwe on June 29, between Likoma based fisherman, Imran Kingsley Shaban and a well-known boxer, George Alick Angel has been called off to a later date by boxing promoters due to what they call “technical panel issues”.
In an interview on Sunday with Malawi News Agency, organiser of the fight, Ibrahim Aswed, who is also a boxing promoter said the purpose of the fight was to raise capital for a fisherman Shaban to buy equipment used in fishing to expand his fishing business.
“The fight was set after noting how Shaban is struggling with his business and life. We opted to source funds amounting to K2 million to support Shaban in revamping his business ultimately improving his livelihood and contributing to the local fishing community but due to technical panel reasons we have scheduled it to a yet to be announced date,” Aswed added.
He therefore called on government and other stakeholders to put in place ways and means of helping the fishing industry to thrive.
“This call to action highlights the need for collective support to address the challenges faced by fishermen, potentially improving their livelihoods and contributing to the growth of the fishing industry," the promoter said.
A fisherman, Imran King Shaban, also known as Tchingila said he was preparing well for the rescheduled match and looked forward for the support.
"I appreciate understanding of boxing lovers and I look forward to the new date, where boxing lovers should come together to help raising funds for my fishing business,” said Tchingila.
Malawians urged to embrace mindset change for national development
By George Mponda
Mzuzu, June 23, Mana: Director of Development and Planning at the National Planning Commission (NPC), Grace Kumchulesi, on Monday urged Malawians to embrace mindset change as a way of breaking poverty cycle and driving sustainable national development.
Kumchulesi was speaking in Mzuzu during a consultation meeting on Integrated Mindset Change Program.
She said that there is need for a mental shift among Malawians to support realization of Malawi 2063.
“As a country, we have overstayed in poverty. It is high time we started thinking positively to transform as individuals, communities and as a nation.
“Malawi 2063 is a long-term vision that requires more than policies, it demands a positive mindset for it to succeed,” said Kumchulesi.
She further urged Malawians to adopt a positive attitude towards education, entrepreneurship and household management aligning them with national efforts with the vision’s aspirations.
“Mindset change is the foundation of sustainable development. We must eliminate negative thinking and cultural barriers that continue to hold back our national potential,” she added.
Director of Civic Education in the Ministry of Local Government, Unity and Culture, Misheck Munthali, echoed Kunchulesi’s call, stressing the urgency of action amid challenges such as climate change and global economic shocks.
“We must think positively, take positive action and exercise patience and resilience to confront these challenges and achieve meaningful progress. Malawians must first heal their minds. Only then can we begin to advance as a nation,” said Munthali.
He then emphasised the need to use all available platforms to promote patriotism and positive thinking.
Golden Mmora, a youth representative from Mzuzu City, said mindset change among young people is crucial as they are a majority of the nation’s population.
“When young people move from a mindset of dependency and hopelessness to one of innovation, responsibility and self-reliance, they can become active drivers of national progress,” Mmora said.
He added that when the youth embrace values such as integrity, accountability and long-term vision, they not only improve their own lives but also serve as positive influences in their communities.
The meeting was organized by the Ministry of Local Government, Unity and Culture, with support from the National Planning Commission. It was attended by civic education hubs from Karonga and Nkhata Bay, as well as representatives from civil society organizations, academia, faith-based groups, traditional leaders, and other stakeholders.
Scorchers face challenges and opportunities after Ghana match
By Nyandema Mhango
Lilongwe, 23, June: In an encounter that highlighted both the weaknesses and strengths of Malawi's National Women’s Football Team, known as the Scorchers, the recent friendly match against Ghana proved to be a crucial moment for the coach and his players.
On Saturday, June 21, the Scorchers played against Ghana, ultimately losing the match with a score of 3-1.
Despite the defeat, Coach Lovemore Fazili hailed the game as an enlightening experience. He noted that while the match revealed the challenges facing his squad, it also showcased the resilience and potential within the team.
“I have faith that everything is good with the team, and we are ready to face Angola in October for the Women’s African Cup of Nations Qualifiers,” Fazili stated confidently.
He emphasized his commitment to maintaining the current lineup, particularly the goalkeeper, despite calls for change from various quarters, “Let me say this, I am still keeping the same goalkeeper. Regardless of what others may think, I believe in my team,” he asserted.
However, not everyone shares the coach's optimism. Sports analyst Kim Kamau has criticized the decision to stick with the same goalkeeper, pointing out that the Scorchers have consistently conceded goals throughout their friendly matches.
“The team has been conceding more goals than they are scoring. If that continues, they are not making progress,” Kamau remarked. He advised the coach to consider a change in goalkeeping and to strengthen the defense in preparation for the upcoming match against Angola.
As the Scorchers prepare for their next challenge, they will need to address their recent performance, having lost five out of the six friendly matches they’ve played, winning only one. This record underscores the urgency for improvement as they gear up for the African Cup of Nations. The upcoming match against Angola will be a true test of their resilience and determination to enhance their game.
Climate change threatens Kasungu’s agricultural potential
By Wanangwa Tembo
Kasungu, June 23, Mana: Director of Agriculture Services for Kasungu, Evelyn Chima, says climate change is hindering efforts to make the district realise its potential as one of the country’s agricultural hub.
She was speaking in an interview at the end of a three-day review meeting for Kasungu District Agriculture Extension Coordinating Committee (DAECC) in Mzimba on Saturday.
“Kasungu is an agriculture district but its potential is affected by various factors, among them being climate change which has affected crop production and threatened food security at household level.
“Together with all stakeholders in the natural resources conservation and agricultural, we are joining our efforts to support our farmers with appropriate extension services and technologies so that they can still produce more and remain food secure in the face of unfriendly climatic patterns,” Chima said.
She said the meeting provided a platform for stakeholders to discuss challenges and successes in promoting agriculture for the benefit of farmers in the district which experienced pockets of dry spells and cyclones last growing season.
“Going forward, all we need is to work in collaboration and help the farmers on how they can cope with climate change because that is the major challenge for us,” she said.
DAECC Vice Chairperson, Miriam Zeka, described the meeting as a productive gathering where different organisations provided their input regarding various interventions that they are implementing including conservation and climate smart agriculture.
“It has been an amazing experience and we are looking forward to implementing some of the things we discussed.
“Our main aim was to review different projects that are being implemented in Kasungu District by both government and partners, appreciating the challenges they are facing and the next steps they are going to take moving forward,” Zeka said.
She also noted that climate change has been a challenging subject for the district in that it has affected the achievement of food security.
“We are putting a lot of effort training farmers in practices that can help improve their yield, promoting the adoption of varieties that are resistant to climate extremes so that we achieve economic, food and nutrition security for households,” she said.
The meeting, which reviewed the district's agricultural performance over the past year, stressed the importance of conservation and climate-smart agricultural practices to achieve food and income security which are crucial for the district's development.
Bullets, Silver Set for Airtel Top 8 Final Showdown
By Innocent Manda
Lilongwe, 22 June, Mana: FCB Nyasa Big Bullets and Silver Strikers are set to rekindle their fierce rivalry in the 2025 Airtel Top 8 final scheduled for July 12 at Bingu National Stadium.
Silver Strikers booked their ticket to the final after defeating city rivals Civo Service United 2-1 in a tense semifinal clash on Sunday afternoon. Goals from Nickson Mwase and Emmanuel Allan sealed the victory, while Peter Ng’ambi pulled one back for the Servants.
A day earlier, the defending champions Bullets overcame Karonga United 2-1 under the floodlights. Chikumbutso Salima opened the scoring in the 24th minute, but Karonga equalized shortly after the break. Hassan Kajoke’s 64th-minute strike ensured the People’s Team held on to progress.
Silver head coach Peter Mgangira downplayed any need for special motivation ahead of the final.
“They’re already paid for their job, and I don’t think they need extra motivation, every player knows his job. Injuries are no excuse—we prepare for every match with full responsibility,” said Mgangira.
On Saturday, Bullets coach Peter Mponda acknowledged the threat posed by Karonga and praised his side’s mental strength.
“Defensively, we were unconvincing, but in terms of chances, they had more, I’m happy with the result and how we responded under pressure,” said Mponda after the match.
This marks the third time Bullets and Silver will meet in an Airtel Top 8 final. In 2021, Bullets triumphed via penalties after a 1-1 draw. In 2024, they retained the title with a narrow 1-0 win.
