Malawi protesters

Malawi is witnessing a surge in protests over rising prices and economic hardship, just months before its September elections. The country is grappling with its worst economic crisis in decades, with inflation soaring to 30% in February.

In Lilongwe’s Tsoka market, vendors, led by Steve Magombo, staged one of the capital’s largest demonstrations, protesting skyrocketing costs. Similar protests have erupted in other cities, reflecting deep public frustration, as nearly 75% of Malawi’s 21 million citizens live in extreme poverty.

The crisis has significantly impacted food prices, with maize inflation reaching 38.5%. A 50kg bag of maize now costs 110,000 kwacha ($63), far exceeding the monthly minimum wage of $52. The situation has worsened due to the kwacha’s depreciation and foreign currency shortages affecting imports.

In response, the government has banned the importation of select goods to boost local production. However, critics argue authorities lack a clear economic recovery strategy.

With President Lazarus Chakwera seeking re-election against former leader Peter Mutharika, economic instability is fueling political uncertainty. Many Malawians demand urgent reforms to stabilize the economy before the elections, fearing continued hardship if solutions are not implemented swiftly.