Malawi’s President Lazarus Chakwera has defiantly shrugged off criticism of his party’s ambitious 2025 election manifesto, urging supporters to remain focused on the Malawi Congress Party’s (MCP) development vision rather than what he called the “enemies of progress.”
Speaking at the launch of the MCP manifesto and campaign in Mzimba District on Tuesday, Chakwera directly addressed scepticism surrounding flagship promises, including the creation of three million jobs and the introduction of the Tsogolo Account—a fund designed to allocate K500,000 to every newborn child, redeemable upon reaching adulthood.
“Others have already started saying that we can’t create three million jobs. When I said I will construct a six-lane road, dualise the M1, raise the Constituency Development Fund [CDF] seven times, they said this can’t happen, they said it is madness,” Chakwera said. “I urge you not to despair, just look at them. These people are enemies of development.”
The President dismissed concerns over the feasibility of the Tsogolo Account, insisting the initiative will be sustained through a soon-to-be-established Sovereign Wealth Fund, fueled by revenues from carbon credits, mining activities, and mega farm exports.
Chakwera cited ongoing infrastructure projects in the Northern Region, including roads linking Rumphi-Nyika-Chitipa, Chitipa-Ilomba, and Chiweta-Karonga, among others, as evidence of delivery on previous promises.
He also pledged new developments, including a major traffic interchange in Mzuzu.
MCP Secretary General Richard Chimwendo Banda defended the manifesto, calling it “practical and workable.” Meanwhile, Mzimba resident Kinnerthan Phiri voiced support for local projects such as the proposed Inkosi ya Makhosi M’Mbelwa University and the new stadium.
Traditional leader Inkosi ya Makhosi M’Mbelwa V urged citizens to vote actively, saying those who abstain have no grounds to complain about the results.
However, political analyst George Chaima questioned the practicality of the MCP’s promises, warning that food insecurity and inefficiencies in the public sector highlight deeper systemic issues.
The 72-point MCP manifesto centres around five main pillars: food security, job creation, wealth creation, governance reform, and improved public service delivery. As Malawi heads toward its September 16 General Election, President Chakwera appears determined to stand by his bold agenda—regardless of the growing scrutiny.
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