According to AllAfrica, the National Oil Company of Malawi (NOCMA) awarded a $25 million fuel supply contract to Savari Energy DMCC, a firm linked to businessman Zuneth Sattar. The single-sourced agreement involves supplying 100,000 metric tons of fuel through the port of Beira and follows reports that the Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Attorney General's office are reviewing previous corruption charges against Sattar. Nyasa Times reports that NOCMA has publicly denied ties to Sattar, but social media activist Onjezani Kenani rebutted the claim by highlighting Savari Energy's connection to Sattar's network.
Update: Scrutiny surrounding the K128.7 billion Amaryllis Hotel acquisition has increased after the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) held a lakeside meeting with Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) Governor George Partridge in Salima on March 14, Nation Online reports. Governance commentators warned that the timing is problematic because the gathering occurred just days before Partridge is scheduled to testify before PAC regarding the hotel deal. PAC chairperson Steven Malondera described the meeting as a routine quarterly session, while RBM spokesperson Boston Maliketi Banda defended it as part of regular engagements and routine stakeholder outreach.
In economic policy advocacy, the Malawi Economic Justice Network (MEJN) has urged the government to include young people in the formulation of the national budget, according to Nyasa Times. During a Youth Economic Town Hall meeting organized with Oxfam Malawi, MEJN Programs Manager Cecilia Phiri stated that ignoring the youth demographic could negatively affect budget implementation. She called on authorities to provide resources for young people to contribute directly to the country's economic development.
In the banking sector, the National Bank of Malawi (NBM) plc has donated K5.5 million to the upcoming Malawi Law Society conference, Nyasa Times reports. NBM Legal Services Manager Pretence Sayenda presented the funds on Friday. He noted that the bank is supporting the March 26 to 29 event because its theme focuses on climate justice, which aligns with the bank's environmental sustainability initiatives.