Business owners protesting against the Electronic Invoicing System (EIS) have been warned to reopen their shops by Monday or risk losing their business and work permits as pressure mounts over continued resistance to the new tax invoicing system.
The warning was issued on Friday in Lilongwe by the Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI), whose Executive Director Sylvester Namiwa accused some traders of attempting to hold the country “at ransom” by shutting down businesses in protest against the Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA)’s EIS rollout.
Speaking at a press briefing in Lilongwe, Namiwa said some business operators, particularly individuals of Asian origin, are allegedly financing and mobilizing fellow traders to close shops in a bid to pressure MRA into abandoning the system.
He said the organization is giving the protesting traders until Monday, May 11, 2026, to reopen their businesses and allow MRA officials to assist them with registration and technical challenges related to the system.
“Those that will not open their businesses by Monday, it will simply mean that they are not ready to comply with the country’s laws,” said Namiwa, adding that such businesses “should be ready to relocate to a country where such economic sabotage is allowed.”
The organization has since called on the Ministry of Homeland Security to review and revoke work and business permits for traders who fail to comply, while also urging the Ministry of Trade and local councils to cancel licenses for businesses involved in the protest.
Namiwa argued that the EIS is not a new tax, but a modern internet-based invoicing system designed to improve transparency, simplify compliance and reduce tax evasion through real-time reporting.
He further accused some traders of under-declaring Value Added Tax (VAT) and using the proceeds for lavish lifestyles while ordinary Malawians continue suffering from poverty and poor public services.
“It is an insult to Malawians that pay VAT that these unscrupulous businesspeople should force the country to a standstill simply because they want to indulge in illegal business and under declare taxes,” reads part of the statement.
The organization also warned that continued resistance to the EIS rollout could trigger nationwide demonstrations.
Namiwa said peaceful protests are being planned for Wednesday, May 13, if businesses continue defying implementation of the system.
