President Lazarus Chakwera has delivered a forceful message on the future of Malawi’s mining sector, ordering immediate transparency from the Ministry of Mining and warning that secrecy poses a threat to national security. Speaking at the Malawi Mining Investment Forum in Lilongwe, he described the country’s mineral wealth as a key strategic asset, declaring, “Our minerals are a matter of national security, and there is no better security than putting things in the light.”
Chakwera highlighted Malawi’s vast untapped resources—including uranium, gold, coal, rare earths, and gemstones—placing particular emphasis on the discovery of the world’s largest known rutile deposit in Kasiya. Comparing its value to the fictional vibranium from Marvel’s Black Panther, he criticised government officials for failing to keep the public informed, noting that Malawians were learning about their own resources from foreign stock market reports.
“This is not acceptable,” he stated. “Malawians should not be learning about their own minerals from a company’s stock performance report on the London Stock Exchange.”
The president instructed the Ministry of Mining to provide regular, public updates on all mineral-related activities, agreements, and operations, asserting that openness was critical to restoring trust and safeguarding the country’s natural resources.
Beyond transparency, Chakwera outlined a strategy to ensure the country’s mineral riches contribute meaningfully to national development. First, he praised the creation of Malawi’s new Mining Authority, tasked with enforcing responsible and lawful practices in the sector. He warned that illegal mining and corruption must be actively confronted.
Second, he called for smart, transparent Mining Development Agreements (MDAs) that serve Malawi’s long-term interests. He pledged personal oversight of future agreements, including consultation with international experts, and demanded that the Ministry disclose the status of all existing MDAs in future reports. Only reputable, well-funded, and ethical investors would be allowed to operate in the country, he stressed.
Chakwera also announced plans to create a publicly owned mining company in which Malawian citizens will be able to purchase shares, giving the population a direct financial stake in the sector’s success.
The president closed his speech by officially opening the Mining Forum and reaffirming his administration’s determination to make mining a foundation of Malawi’s Vision 2063 economic blueprint. His message was unequivocal: the era of opacity in Malawi’s mining sector is over, and the future will be built in full view of the public.
