The National Advocacy Platform (NAP) says President Peter Mutharika’s first year in office has produced signs of progress, but Government must shift from promises and foundations to faster implementation and measurable results.
In its assessment of the administration’s first year, covering October 4, 2025 to October 4, 2026, NAP says inflation has eased, maize availability has improved, free secondary education has expanded and road rehabilitation has resumed.
Headline inflation fell from 28.2 percent in August 2025 to 20 percent in August 2026, while food inflation dropped to 13.4 percent.
However, NAP says the improvements have yet to sufficiently translate into better household welfare, with non-food inflation still high at 31.8 percent and the cost of living continuing to pressure families.
The organisation also warns that forex shortages, renewed fuel queues, unreliable electricity, high public debt and weaknesses in public service delivery remain major concerns.
On agriculture, NAP welcomes the K931.1 billion allocation to the sector for the 2026/27 financial year, including about K111 billion for the Farm Input Subsidy Programme (FISP).
But it cautions that the country faces climate risks, particularly in parts of Southern and Central Malawi, and calls for an early El Niño food-response plan, stronger irrigation and greater investment in drought-tolerant crops.
NAP also wants Government to strengthen healthcare, noting continued shortages of medicines, personnel and equipment.
On governance and corruption, the organisation welcomes reforms including electronic procurement, continued Anti-Corruption Bureau investigations and efforts to strengthen accountability.
However, it says the prolonged absence of a substantive ACB Director General remains a concern.
NAP says the second year must therefore focus on converting emerging stability into jobs, reliable energy and fuel, affordable food, quality public services and stronger institutions.
“From the second year and beyond,” NAP says, the test must shift “from announcements and intentions to implementation, consistency and independently verifiable results.”
