The Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) will introduce new 50 and 20 Kwacha coins into circulation starting April 24, 2026. According to MBC and Face of Malawi, RBM Governor George Partridge stated that the current low-denomination banknotes wear out quickly from frequent daily use, resulting in high replacement costs. The new coins are designed to last between 10 and 20 years and will circulate alongside the existing paper notes.
The cost of living for an average urban household dropped by 4.6 percent in February, according to data from the Employers Consultative Association of Malawi (ECAM). Nyasa Times reports that the monthly cost of basic necessities fell from K1,039,425 in January to K991,733 in February. The drop was driven largely by lower prices for maize, beans, and cooking oil. However, local economists warned that exchange rate instability could limit long-term price relief.
In the investment sector, a K27 billion property deal by the Public Service Pension Trust Fund (PSPTF) has led to allegations of overpricing. According to Nyasa Times, the fund purchased the 53-room Sigelege Boutique Hotel and immediately handed operations back to the original owner under a five-year management contract. Governance experts and civil society groups are urging the Public Accounts Committee to investigate the valuation and trace the flow of funds.
Malawi's mining framework is also facing public scrutiny regarding local participation in major resource deals. Nyasa Times reports that a national debate, sparked by social media activist Onjezani Kenani, has emerged over the Kasiya Rutile-Graphite Project. Critics are questioning long-term offtake agreements, such as the one Sovereign Metals recently signed with Japan's Mitsui & Co., arguing that they allow foreign corporations to secure buyers and prices years before actual production begins.