Malawians are telling two very different economic stories one year after the DPP returned to power, with some seeing stable prices while others face empty pockets and struggling businesses.
For many households and small businesses, the real test of the past year has not simply been how often prices change, but whether people still have enough money to spend.
Malawians are telling two very different economic stories one year after the DPP returned to power, with some seeing stable prices while others face empty pockets and struggling businesses.
Chikumbutso Kolowole, a young man running a small-scale business at Bwandiro in Lilongwe, says his business has suffered a sharp drop in sales despite acknowledging that commodity prices had risen significantly during the previous administration.
Kolowole says that although prices were high during the previous government, money was more available among ordinary people, allowing businesses such as his to attract more customers.
“Prices of commodities were too much rising during Chakwera era but money was available in our pockets. Now those having money are few top politicians, people who buy from us are saying they don’t have money. Our businesses are in trouble,” he said.
Kolowole says his daily sales have fallen from as much as K200,000 on a good day to struggling to reach K50,000, making it difficult for him to meet responsibilities he previously managed, including supporting relatives with school fees.
However, Failos Zuwawo, who operates a shoe business at Lilongwe Free Market, has a different experience, saying the stability of commodity prices has made business conditions more predictable.
“At least now prices are stable, which is good for us as business people. Unlike during MCP when there were changes in prices of commodities, you see today a price changes twice, but not since DPP entered into power. The price is stable,” Zuwawo said.
Social scientist Peter Mumba has also given a mixed assessment, saying some improvements can be seen in the availability and prices of essential commodities, although many Malawians continue to struggle with the cost of living.
Mumba says maize prices have generally remained between K40,000 and K60,000 for a 50-kilogramme bag over the past year, providing some relief to households that depend on the staple food. He has also observed relatively steady fuel availability, although pump prices remain high.
At the same time, Mumba says governance challenges remain a concern, arguing that weaknesses in some public institutions could undermine efforts to improve the economy and living conditions.
The contrasting experiences come as government marks one year since President Peter Mutharika returned to power following the September 16, 2025 election.
Information Minister and government spokesperson Shadric Namalomba has argued that the administration has made progress on problems that faced Malawians before the election, including maize availability, fuel shortages and the cost of education.
For ordinary business people, however, the first year of the DPP administration is being measured not only by whether prices are stable, but also by whether customers have enough money to buy what they sell.
For Kolowole, that remains the biggest challenge: prices may change less frequently, but fewer customers with money in their pockets means that stability has not necessarily translated into better business.
