Chakwera decries silence in Mining industry

President Lazarus Chakwera has strongly criticized the secrecy surrounding Malawi’s mining industry, saying it denies citizens access to crucial information about the sector’s progress.

Chakwera made the remarks at the opening of the two-day 2025 Malawi Mining Investment Forum in Lilongwe.

“Malawians have yet to hear anything from mining officials about what is happening in Kasiya regarding our rutile — what has been agreed upon, and with whom. That is not acceptable. It is not acceptable that Malawians should be learning about rutile operations in Kasiya through a press conference by a foreign company in Australia,” Chakwera said.

He has since ordered the Ministry of Mining to end its silence on sector activities with immediate effect.

Meanwhile, Minister of Mining Ken Zikhale Ng’oma admitted that there has been a lack of communication but attributed it to his recent appointment to the ministry. He stated that efforts are now being made to improve transparency.

“Since I joined the ministry, I have made sure to share information. Nobody has done that before in this ministry. This shows that we are committed to change,” Zikhale Ng’oma said.

Both local and international players in the mining industry are attending this year’s Investment Forum, which is being held under the theme: “Advancing Malawi’s Mining Agenda in an Evolving Global Industry.”