Mutharika administration achieves stabilization in first year in Malawi

Independent assessments of President Arthur Peter Mutharika’s first year in office indicate that while his administration has achieved a level of stabilization, it has yet to implement significant structural transformations.

An audit by Nation Publications Limited (NPL) awarded the administration a composite score of 62.2 percent, categorizing its performance as “Satisfactory.” The NPL inquiry, which measured delivery against the Democratic Progressive Party’s 2025-2030 manifesto, found that the economy has partially stabilized despite ongoing fragility caused by public debt, foreign exchange shortages, and power outages. Social sectors, particularly health, received the highest marks due to improved supply chains. However, governance was noted for weak anti-corruption enforcement.

Parallel reporting from Nyasa Times provided a different granular view, scoring the president 7.6 out of 10. While both assessments agree that macroeconomic stability and inflation control have improved, they highlight persistent challenges in the energy sector, with daily load-shedding reported. Discrepancies exist regarding specific sectors; for instance, while NPL praised health sector gains, Nyasa Times noted ongoing shortages of drugs and equipment. Similarly, views on food and fuel security vary, with reports of fluctuating maize prices and returning fuel queues.