Communities in Malawi are missing out on the wealth generated by the country’s mining sector, church leaders and lawmakers warn, as profits increasingly flow to politically connected elites and foreign investors.
Reverend Davidson Chifungo, vice chair of the Evangelical Association of Malawi, said local populations are excluded from the benefits of mining.
“People come, get licenses, and the communities are not benefiting. Our project is fighting these inequalities,” he said.
Tiawone Hendry, chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Natural Resources, Energy, Mining, and Climate Change, acknowledged the concerns raised by civil society organizations.
“Some of the information is new to us, and we’ve asked them to submit it formally so the committee can act,” Hendre said.
Hendre highlighted systemic issues, including slow licensing processes and a lack of domestic data on Malawi’s mineral resources.
“We don’t have our own data on exploration. We depend on investors coming to Malawi to share information,” he explained.
Political interference in mining operations is also hindering development, Hendre added.”Development issues are failing because politics takes the center stage instead of the nation’s interests,” he said.
The committee plans to intensify oversight, inspect illegal mining sites, and ensure that the Ministry of Natural Resources protects Malawi’s minerals.
“We want to visit the illegal mines and make sure our resources are properly safeguarded,” Hendre said.
Chifungo criticized mining companies for failing to engage local communities and exploit loopholes in outdated legislation.
“All companies should engage communities and chiefs to agree on benefits, but that is not happening. The rich and powerful benefit instead,” he said.
He also highlighted human and environmental risks linked to poorly regulated mining. “In Karonga, children are falling into mining pits. Environmental damage is widespread, affecting the communities,” Chifungo said.
Both church leaders and MPs stressed that stronger oversight and stricter enforcement of mining laws are essential to ensure Malawi’s mineral wealth benefits its citizens rather than elites and foreign investors.
