Treasury in Malawi is reviewing public contracts after alleged fraud and irregular procurement during the previous Malawi Congress Party (MCP) administration left public finances in disarray. All contracts signed by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) between September 2023 and September 2025 will undergo a forensic review.
The move comes amid growing concern over alleged procurement abuses exposed at the Greenbelt Authority, where several officials and former ministers have been arrested as corruption investigations continue. Nearly K40 billion is alleged to have been looted at Greenbelt. Malawi24 understands the exercise has President Peter Mutharika’s backing as government moves to clean up public procurement.
In a directive dated May 29, 2026, Secretary to the Treasury, Cliff K. Chiunda, instructed all Controlling Officers and Heads of Government Departments to submit contracts, agreements, guarantees, consents and employment-related contracts signed during the period to the National Audit Office and the Attorney General’s Office.
“Controlling Officers are advised to submit the requested information by 20th June 2026 to the National Audit Office and Attorney General’s Office,” reads the directive.
According to the directive, the review will also focus on contracts whose values were increased through addendums after the original agreements were signed.
MDAs have been asked to provide details of the original contract sums, the addendums, reasons for the upward adjustments and evidence showing that all required procurement approval procedures were followed.
The exercise is intended to verify compliance with procurement regulations and assess whether public resources were committed in accordance with established legal and financial procedures.
Treasury has further warned that funding for works and services linked to the contracts under review will not be provided until the review process is completed.
The move is expected to place significant attention on contracts that experienced cost escalations, with authorities seeking to establish whether the increases were justified and properly authorized.
