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IMF Urges Malawi to Uphold Fiscal Discipline Amid Economic Challenges
Lilongwe, Malawi The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has reiterated its call for Malawi’s government to maintain rigorous fiscal discipline and prioritise productive spending in order to stabilise its economy a pressing message delivered following the Fund’s recent Article IV consultation with the country. IMF eLibrary+2IMF eLibrary+2
During the assessment, the IMF noted that while Malawi has experienced some revenue growth in the 2024/25 fiscal year, its vulnerability remains high owing to elevated inflation, heavy public debt, and external challenges. The deficit in the 2024/25 fiscal year stood at around 10.1 percent of GDP. IMF eLibrary+1
The IMF’s “Frequently Asked Questions” paper on Malawi emphasises that fiscal policy in countries with narrow revenue bases and high spending pressures must focus on: collecting more revenues through tax-administration reforms, ensuring expenditure is efficient and well-targeted, and protecting social outlays while avoiding unsustainable borrowing. IMF
Minister of Finance Joseph Mwanamvekha described the IMF team’s visit as a “fact-finding mission” that provided the Fund with a clearer picture of Malawi’s economic situation. He affirmed that talks have covered how to boost recovery and explore potential new IMF programmes, following the termination of the previous Extended Credit Facility (ECF) after only US$35 million of the US$175 million commitment was disbursed. Reuters+1
Key Recommendations from the IMF
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Prioritise useful spending: The IMF stresses that Malawi must focus on investment that enhances growth-potential such as infrastructure, agriculture, energy and human capital rather than consumption spending which does not yield long-term returns.
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Strengthen revenue mobilization: With high deficits and limited resources, Malawi must improve tax collection, broaden the tax base, reduce exemptions and enhance compliance. IMF eLibrary+1
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Maintain debt sustainability: Malawi’s debt remains elevated and servicing it consumes a large share of revenues. The IMF emphasizes that without better fiscal balance, debt risks worsen. Reuters+1
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Implement structural reforms: Beyond fiscal policy, reforms in governance, public financial management, and the exchange-rate regime are considered critical by the IMF to create lasting stability. IMF
Implications for Malawi
Malawi’s economy is facing multiple headwinds: inflation remained high; foreign exchange reserves were low; and growth prospects modest. The need to stabilise macroeconomics becomes more urgent as public expectations rise and external vulnerabilities persist. For this reason, the IMF’s message carries extra weight now.
What to Watch Next
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Whether Malawi secures a new IMF programme or staff-monitored arrangement that conditions support on specified reforms. Reuters reported productive talks with the Malawian government in late October 2025 about a new programme. Reuters
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How Malawi’s government starts to implement revenue reforms and public-expenditure prioritisation. Progress in these areas will be a key indicator of whether fiscal discipline is being strengthened in practice.
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Transparent publication of budget performance, debt servicing, and external-account management will also matter for investor confidence and donor support.
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The broader impact on social spending: balancing austerity or fiscal tightening with safeguarding essential public services will be a delicate challenge.
Malawi to Launch “Unite to End Digital Gender-Based Violence” for 16 Days of Activism 2025
Lilongwe, Malawi The Government of Malawi, through its Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare, has announced that the 2025 edition of the global campaign 16 Days of Activism against Gender‑Based Violence will be observed from 25 November to 10 December under the national theme “Unite to End Digital Gender-Based Violence in Malawi”. This year’s official launch is scheduled to take place in Balaka District, signalling a strong focus on emerging forms of violence inflicted via digital platforms.
According to the published concept note, the campaign will primarily address the growing challenge of online abuse and digital gender-based violence (DGBV) targeting women and girls. Specific priority areas include image-based violence (such as non-consensual sharing of intimate images), cyber-bullying, online sexual exploitation, harassment on social media platforms (including Facebook, WhatsApp, TikTok) and other forms of digital misuse. UN Women+2UN Women+2
The Ministry emphasises that while Malawi has long been active in the 16 Days of Activism campaign, the 2025 edition marks a deliberate shift toward digital spaces, acknowledging that technology has become a significant vector for gender-based harm. The concept note highlights that perpetrators increasingly exploit digital tools to inflict gender-based harm, abuse, hate speech, control, harassment and violence a trend documented across the continent. UN Women+1
Objectives & Key Activities
The campaign in Malawi is set to achieve several key objectives:
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Raise awareness among citizens especially young women and girls about the nature and risks of digital gender-based violence and how to report it.
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Promote safer online spaces by engaging telecommunication companies, social-media platforms, digital rights organisations and community groups to implement awareness-raising and preventive measures.
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Strengthen legal and community responses by reviewing existing policy frameworks, improving coordination across the justice and cyber-security sectors, and mobilising local leaders to challenge harmful digital practices.
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Encourage investment in prevention not only reacting to violence but proactively designing digital-safe programmes, supporting survivors, and changing the digital culture around gender.
Launch in Balaka District
The official launch event in Balaka District on 25 November will bring together government officials, civil society organisations, youth and digital activists, traditional and religious leaders, as well as representatives of private-sector tech and telecommunication firms. The event is expected to include public pledges, digital-safety workshops, community dialogues and a youth-led online-campaign component.
Why This Matters
Malawi’s decision to centre the 2025 campaign on digital gender-based violence comes at a time when data from local studies indicate a rising prevalence of cyber-violence against women and girls. One survey highlighted malicious online behaviour such as cyber-bullying, online defamation, revenge pornography and harassment via WhatsApp or social media in Malawi. arXiv
Moreover, aligning the campaign with the global UN-run 16 Days initiative ensures that Malawi remains part of a broader international movement tying together gender-based violence and human-rights violations. The initiative symbolically runs from International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (25 November) to Human Rights Day (10 December). Women Lawyers Association of Malawi+1
Looking Ahead
As the launch approaches, key themes to watch include:
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How Malawi’s digital-safety and cyber-regulation frameworks respond to this thematic shift.
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The role of private-sector partners (telecommunications & tech platforms) in supporting prevention of digital GBV.
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Engagement of youth and digital natives in shaping peer-to-peer campaigns and online activism.
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Implementation of community-level interventions that link offline gender-based violence with its digital counterpart.
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Monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to track the impact of the campaign — especially in reporting, prosecution, and survivor support in the digital domain.
Title: A Celebration of Friendship and Diplomacy: Sierra Leone and Türkiye Strengthen Bilateral Ties
On October 29, 2025, at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Her Excellency Fatima Maada Bio had the honour of serving as the Guest of Honour at the 102nd Anniversary Celebration of the Proclamation of the Republic of Türkiye.
The event also commemorated 54 years of strong, brotherly, and diplomatic relations between Sierra Leone and Türkiye a partnership built on mutual respect, cooperation, and shared goals for sustainable development.
In her remarks, H.E. Fatima Maada Bio congratulated the people and government of Türkiye for their remarkable progress and extended sincere appreciation to H.E. Yusuf Burak Rende, the Ambassador of Türkiye to Sierra Leone, for his unwavering support and efforts in fostering unity between the two nations.
The celebration served as a shining example of how diplomacy and friendship can bridge continents, strengthen partnerships, and inspire mutual growth.
US President Trump Orders Pentagon to Resume Nuclear Weapons Testing
US President Donald Trump has ordered the Pentagon to restart nuclear weapons testing, a move that could end the decades-long moratorium that began after the Cold War.
Trump announced the decision via his Truth Social account, stating, “Because of other countries’ testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis.”
The directive represents a significant shift in US defense policy, signaling a more aggressive stance toward maintaining military parity with other nuclear-armed nations. Experts warn that the move could escalate global tensions, prompting reactions from rival powers watching closely.
First Lady Fatima Maada Bio Secures Turkish Partnership for New Medical Centre in Bo
Following her official visit to Türkiye, Her Excellency Fatima Maada Bio, First Lady of the Republic of Sierra Leone, had the honour of meeting with H.E. Emine Erdoğan, the First Lady of Türkiye, where she passionately appealed for the establishment of a hospital in Sierra Leone.
In a remarkable gesture of goodwill, H.E. Emine Erdoğan graciously accepted the request, marking a major milestone in strengthening healthcare collaboration between both nations.
Upon her return, the First Lady warmly received the Turkish Ambassador to Sierra Leone, H.E. Amb. Yusuf Burak Rende, alongside Mr. Mirzet Muezzinoglu, the TİKA Country Director, to discuss the implementation plans for the proposed medical centre in Bo.
Mrs. Bio emphasized that, even when she travels abroad, her heart remains with her people especially women, girls, and children reaffirming her lifelong commitment to improving their wellbeing through sustainable healthcare initiatives.
~ FMB
2027: Enugu Unity Forum Pledges Grassroots Mobilization for Governor Peter Mbah’s Reelection
The Enugu State Unity Forum (EUF), a key support group backing the reelection bid of Governor Peter Mbah in the upcoming 2027 general election, has vowed to embark on an extensive grassroots sensitization and mobilization campaign across the Enugu East Senatorial Zone.
According to the group, their mission is to ensure seamless reelection for the governor by reaching every community, ward, and local council with a message of continuity and progress.
The EUF leadership emphasized that Governor Mbah’s administration has brought visible transformation and development to Enugu State, making it imperative to sustain his policies for another term.
Oil Prices Surge as Trump Targets Russian Oil Giants with Heavy Sanctions
Global oil markets witnessed a sharp spike of over 2% on Thursday after U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to impose heavy sanctions on two major Russian oil companies.
The move, which immediately sent crude prices soaring, marks a significant escalation in Washington’s efforts to pressure Moscow economically. Analysts say the sanctions could tighten global supply chains and further destabilize energy markets already reeling from geopolitical tensions.
Meanwhile, renewed U.S.-China economic optimism helped lift global stocks, as investors balanced the sanctions shock with hopes of improved trade cooperation between the world’s two largest economies.
First Lady Fatima Maada Bio Returns Safely After Series of Diplomatic Engagements
Alhamdulillah! 🙏
Her Excellency Fatima Maada Bio, First Lady of Sierra Leone, has recently returned home safely after a productive series of diplomatic engagements abroad.
During her travels, she represented Sierra Leone on several key platforms, strengthening international partnerships, advancing women’s empowerment, and promoting sustainable development across Africa and beyond.
Her return marks the successful completion of another impactful diplomatic mission dedicated to service, unity, and progress.
~FMB.
Did You Know?
🌍 Did You Know?
Kenya’s Lake Turkana is the world’s largest desert lake! 💧
It’s a unique wonder — vast, beautiful, and full of mystery, right in the heart of East Africa.
Africa is full of surprises… keep exploring!
INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE
INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE
💭 “I attribute my success to this — I never gave or took any excuse.” — Florence Nightingale
Success doesn’t come from luck. It comes from discipline, consistency, and taking responsibility — no excuses, just results. 💪
✨ Stay inspired. Stay driven.
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