Fuel supplies have begun to stabilise and repairs at key power stations have been completed, yet progress on re‑establishing Power Market Limited (PML) and capitalising the Malawi Mining Investment Company (Mamico) remains elusive. While large‑scale investment is inevitably long‑term, swift maintenance and policy alignment are essential to sustain operations and attract capital. Few expected sweeping achievements in the first 100 days, but decisions taken now will shape the trajectory of reform.
Although meaningful investment in the sectors is capital-intensive and long-term, maintenance and quick repairs ensure sustainability while timely policy alignments and structural adjustments create conducive environment for investors to bet their money. While it is unrealistic that in 100 days the new government can achieve a lot of its promises in the manifesto, especially in energy, mining and industrialisation, policy issues, structural adjustments and decision-making are critical. This was to ensure value-addition in mining as well as linking it to high-end local production, key to high-value exports and imports substitution.
On industry, six sectors were prioritised: agro‑processing, textiles and apparel, mineral processing, pharmaceuticals, renewable energy and technology, each to be developed through Special Economic Zones offering modern infrastructure and reliable power. Reads the analysis in part: “At the same time, efforts to rehabilitate and modernise standby diesel power plants are ongoing although progress is partly constrained by foreign exchange availability. These interventions are aimed at stabilising supply in the short-term while long-term solutions are implemented.” In addition, the department said the Kanengo Battery Energy Storage System is being introduced to improve grid stability and reliability and that coupled with the Mozambique–Malawi Power Interconnector Project, electricity will stabilise by February this year.
