Malawi has delayed the rollout of a new Electronic Invoicing System (EIS) following nationwide protests by traders and small business owners concerned about economic pressures and tax compliance costs.
Demonstrations across Blantyre, Lilongwe, Zomba and Mzuzu saw thousands submit petitions to the Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA), leading to a postponement of implementation until April 2026. The protests reflect wider economic strain linked to foreign currency shortages, rising import costs, and inflation.
President Peter Mutharika, who pledged economic recovery following his 2025 election victory, has introduced fiscal reforms aimed at boosting revenue collection and stabilising public finances.
Key developments:
• The MRA postponed mandatory EIS adoption until April 2026.
• Finance Minister Joseph Mwanamvekha urged public resilience amid economic stabilisation efforts.
• Economist Bertha Bangara-Chikadza warned tax reforms risk harming informal sector businesses without improved public services.
• Foreign exchange shortages continue to inflate import costs for Malawian traders.
The reforms align with broader African adoption of real-time digital tax systems to curb revenue losses and strengthen fiscal oversight.
ℹ️ The Guardian
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