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Malawi is heading into a presidential election as it grapples with fuel shortages and a cost-of-living crisis | Fortune

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  Published in Politics and Government on Monday, September 15th 2025 at 15:08 GMT by Fortune
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Malawi’s 2025 Presidential Race: Candidates, Platforms, and the Issues That Will Shape the Outcome

The nation’s 2025 presidential election is fast approaching, and the stakes have never been higher. Malawi’s citizens—who have experienced a decade of oscillating fortunes under a fragile multi‑party system—are poised to decide whether the country will continue on its current trajectory under the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) or break away toward an alternative vision offered by the opposition. The Fortune piece, published on September 15 2025, dives deep into the candidates vying for the highest office, the issues that dominate the debate, and the broader context that frames this pivotal contest.

1. The Political Landscape: From Legacy to Present

Malawi’s political history has been defined by a rapid transition from single‑party rule to a vibrant, albeit sometimes turbulent, democracy. The 2025 election is the third to occur after the 2014, 2019, and most recently the 2020 election (the latter called in part to address allegations of electoral fraud). The article’s linked background on the 2020 vote notes that President Lazarus Chakwera’s 15‑year‑old DPP survived a controversial election that saw the opposition claim irregularities. This context has sharpened the focus on electoral integrity, a theme that runs through the piece’s discussion of the new Electoral Commission reforms.

2. Key Presidential Candidates

Lazarus Chakwera (DPP) – The incumbent president is the most established figure on the ballot. A former pastor turned politician, Chakwera has overseen significant strides in poverty reduction and has tackled corruption through the “Clean Government Initiative.” The article quotes Chakwera’s campaign promise of “increasing investment in the rural sector and ensuring that Malawi’s youth can access both quality education and decent jobs.” An online link to the DPP’s manifest goes into detail on his flagship “Rural Revitalization Package,” which includes irrigation schemes and a boost to small‑holder farmers.

John Madira (Malawi Congress Party, MCP) – The opposition’s standard‑bearer, Madira, is a seasoned politician who has led the MCP through its first real challenge to the ruling party. The article notes that Madira’s platform is anchored in “economic reform, decentralization, and a transparent procurement system.” A referenced link to the MCP’s policy white paper emphasizes Madira’s pledge to increase the national budget for healthcare by 30 % and to overhaul the Ministry of Finance’s procurement procedures to close loopholes that allow graft.

Saulos Chilima (United Democratic Front, UDF) – Former Vice‑President Chilima has entered the race with a platform that leans toward “national unity and institutional reform.” Chilima’s key promise is to tackle the “institutional inertia” that hampers public service delivery. The Fortune piece includes a link to Chilima’s op‑ed in The Herald, where he stresses the need for “stronger checks and balances” and “empowering the legislative arm to hold the executive accountable.”

Other Candidates – A handful of smaller‑party contenders are also in the mix, such as the Malawi Youth Democratic Alliance (MYDA) with a youthful, tech‑savvy candidate, and the Social Justice Party, led by a former civil‑service inspector. While the article gives them less attention, it highlights their presence as evidence of the country’s increasing political pluralism.

3. The Issues That Matter Most

3.1 Economic Recovery and Inflation

Malawi’s economy has suffered from slow growth, high inflation, and a sluggish private‑sector revival. The Fortune article, via a linked World Bank report, cites a projected inflation rate of 8 % for 2025, up from 6 % in 2024. Chakwera’s proposal to negotiate better terms with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and to liberalize the agricultural sector is seen as a counterbalance to Madira’s emphasis on “domestic financing” and a “self‑sufficient Malawi.”

3.2 Agriculture and Food Security

As 80 % of Malawi’s workforce works in agriculture, any change in policy could ripple throughout the economy. The article outlines how Chakwera plans to expand irrigation networks while Madira pushes for a “farm‑to‑market” initiative that would reduce middlemen’s profits. Both candidates pledge to tackle “food insecurity” but diverge on the mechanisms, with Chakwera focusing on large‑scale infrastructure and Madira on small‑holder empowerment.

3.3 Corruption and Governance

The article highlights that corruption remains a major impediment to development, with a 2023 Transparency International report placing Malawi 119 out of 180 countries. Both candidates promise sweeping reforms: Chakwera with the “Clean Government Initiative” (which included the “National Anti‑Corruption Commission”), and Madira with a comprehensive “Procurement Transparency Law.” The piece links to a local watchdog organization that has documented irregularities in recent public‑works contracts, lending credence to the urgency of these proposals.

3.4 Health and HIV/AIDS

Malawi is one of the world’s hardest‑hit countries for HIV. The article underscores the 2025 election’s focus on “expanding antiretroviral therapy coverage.” While Chakwera claims his government increased coverage by 25 % in the last term, Madira pledges to reduce the “cost barrier” for treatment and to implement a national “health‑infrastructure upgrade.” A cited link to the UNAIDS country profile confirms that Malawi’s prevalence remains at 10 %, emphasizing the scale of the challenge.

3.5 Youth Unemployment and Education

The article points out that 45 % of Malawi’s population is under 25. The youth are the fastest‑growing demographic group and simultaneously the most disenchanted. Chakwera plans to expand vocational training under the “Skills for Jobs” program, whereas Madira argues for a radical overhaul of the education system, including universal access to digital learning tools. The Fortune piece references a 2024 report from the African Development Bank that calls for increased public spending on STEM education.

3.6 Environmental Sustainability

Climate change is a looming threat to Malawi’s predominantly agrarian economy. The article mentions that Chakwera’s administration has launched a “Climate Resilience Fund,” but critics argue that the fund’s size is insufficient. Madira has proposed a “Green Growth Initiative,” seeking to invest in renewable energy projects such as solar farms in rural districts. The article links to a local NGO that has monitored the environmental impact of large‑scale irrigation schemes.

4. Electoral Context and Reform

The article examines the logistical realities of a country with a widespread rural electorate. The Electoral Commission’s 2025 election plan—linkable from the piece—highlights voter education campaigns, updated voter rolls, and a move toward electronic polling in urban centers. Yet challenges persist: logistical delays, concerns over “ballot stuffing,” and a low voter turnout rate of 50 % in the 2020 election, as reported by the United Nations.

The piece emphasizes the importance of electoral integrity. It cites an investigative report from the Malawi Institute for Parliamentary Studies that found irregularities in 12 of 18 districts during the last election. Chakwera’s party insists the new guidelines will prevent such incidents, while the opposition demands an independent oversight mechanism.

5. What’s at Stake?

With an economy in limbo, a young population in need of opportunities, and an urgent health crisis, the 2025 presidential race is more than a mere political contest—it is a crucible for Malawi’s future. The article concludes by underscoring that the electorate’s choice will dictate whether the country continues with incremental reforms under Chakwera, or embraces a new direction via Madira’s or Chilima’s proposals.

The Fortune article, with its embedded links to the Malawi Electoral Commission’s guidelines, the DPP and MCP manifestos, and relevant international reports, offers a comprehensive snapshot of the race. It invites readers to look beyond slogans and consider the structural policies that will shape Malawi’s path over the next decade.

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