The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has officially launched an investigation into the National Oil Company of Malawi (NOCMA) regarding allegations that it awarded a $25 million fuel supply contract to Savari Energy DMCC, a company reportedly linked to controversial businessperson Zuneth Sattar. According to Nyasa Times, the probe was triggered by a formal complaint submitted by the Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) on March 16.
In a letter dated March 20, 2026, ACB Acting Director General Gabriel Chembezi confirmed to CDEDI that investigators had moved in and the official inquiry was instituted effective March 19.
NOCMA has strongly denied the allegations of awarding a new, unprocedural contract. The state oil firm stated that it merely extended supply volumes for existing contractors Addax and Camel Oil. NOCMA maintains that Savari and Kobil were only brought in to reinforce the country's fuel supply and that all necessary regulatory approvals were secured. The ACB probe will now seek to determine whether the arrangement was a routine supply adjustment or a corrupt procurement deal.