Ministries and departments

The reforms journey started with seven pioneer ministries and one department that signed Performance Contracts with His Excellency the President highlighting their proposed reform areas and making public commitments to deliver on their plans within specified time periods. The pioneer ministries were:

In February 2016, four additional ministries signed reform Performance Contract with the State President and they are:

By December 2016, reforms for the remaining ministries were approved:

Click to view achievements in the implementation of reforms in ministries and departments

  1. Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning and Development
    The Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning and Development (MoFEPD) is responsible for formulating economic and fiscal policy and managing financial and material resources of the Government of Malawi in order to realize balanced and sustainable economic growth for poverty reduction.

    Against this background, the Ministry proposed a number of reform areas to strengthen Public Finance Management. The reforms focused on broad themes such as:

    • Institutional Strengthening
    • Infrastructure strengthening
    • Development Planning
  2. Ministry of Transport and Public Works
    The mandate of the Ministry of Transport and Public Works (MoTPW) is to ensure the provision of an efficient and sustainable transport system which do not only meet the needs of consumers but also fosters economic growth in a manner that is consistent with the national commitment to effective stewardship and management of the environment.

    The Ministry through its departments has been carrying out the following reforms:

    • Upgraded Malawi Traffic Information System
    • Review of the Civil Aviation Act and Establishment of Civil Aviation Authority
    • Recapitalise Plant and Vehicle Hire and Engineering Services (PVHES)
    • Malawi Cargo Centres Concession
    • Commercialisation of Central Materials Laboratory
    • Redefine Mandate of the Ministry of Transport and Public Works
  3. Ministry of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining
    The mandate of the Ministry of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining (MoNREM) is to ensure the sustainable development and utilization of energy, minerals, forestry and wildlife resources, for the socio-economic growth and development of Malawi.

    The Ministry planned to undertake the following reform areas.

    • Creation of Electricity Generation, Transmission and Distribution Companies from Current ESCOM
    • Amendment of Environment Management Act 1996
    • Amend Mines and Minerals Act 1981
    • Private Sector Participation in the Management and Development of Forests.
  4. Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development
    The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MoLGRD) is mandated to promote local governance and coordinate development interventions at Local Authorities. The Ministry is link point between citizenry and leadership through district councils. The following are the reform areas for the Ministry:
    • Complete devolution of Human Resources in Councils
    • Devolution of Development Budget to local Authorities
    • Amendment of Local Government Act
    • Finalisation and establishment of funding mechanism of the Integrated Rural Development Strategy (IRDS)
    • Review of legislation for Chiefs Administration
  5. Ministry of Information and Communications Technology
    The mandate of the Ministry of Information Communication and Technology is to provide policy direction and guidance in the production and dissemination of public information; coordinate and manage ICT development and services.

    A modern public service is achieved through robust ICT systems. Lessons from elsewhere such as Singapore showed that increased ICT usage reduces physical interface between citizens as service seekers and service providers which reduces chances of corruption and bribery, reduces time and other costs of accessing public services.

    The following are the reform areas for the Ministry:

    Department of E-Government

    • Upgrade of Government ICT Infrastructure
    • Review of the Mandate and structure of the Department of E-government
    • Development of the Government ICT Architecture
    • Transformation of NACIT

    Department of Information

    • Decentralization of the Department
    • Establishment of Presidential Press Unit at the State House/OPC
    • Revamping of Government Newspaper
    • Establishment of Printing Press at State House/OPC
  6. Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security
    The mandate of the Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security is to facilitate the provision of a safe and secure environment by providing civilian oversight and advisory services to the security institutions for sustainable socio-economic development. Two departments of the Ministry proposed reform areas separately. The National Registration Bureau identified two reform areas. The Department of Immigration identified four reform areas. In general, reform areas in the Ministry aim at enhancing security by ensuring that Malawians have National Identification Card, improving efficiency and addressing corruption in passport production. The National Registration Bureau
    • Registration of Births and Deaths and Issuance of Certificates
    • Production and Issuance of Identity Cards

    The Department of Immigration

    • Decentralize passport printing services to Mangochi
    • Roll out Passport Services to Malawi Post Corporation
    • On-line Visa Application
    • Computerization of the Permit Processing System
  7. Ministry of Health
    The mandate of the Ministry of Health is to improve the quality and length of life for all Malawians. To achieve this, Ministry aims to deliver an Essential Health Package consisting of promotive, preventive, curative, and rehabilitative services.

    Key challenges in health sector have been poor quality and inequity which are effects of other factors such as inadequate financing, skewed workforce distribution in favour of urban and others. The Health Sector Strategic Plan (HSSP) that expired was premised on equity and quality. The reforms aim at improving access to healthcare review MoU with CHAM), resource mobilisation (establish Health Fund and introduce National Health Insurance Scheme) and efficiency (reform central hospitals and district health systems).

    • Review MoH and CHAM MoU
    • Establish Health Fund
    • Institute Mandatory National Health Insurance
    • Reform Central Hospitals and District Health Systems
  8. Ministry of Education, Science and Technology
    The mandate of Ministry of Education, Science and Technology is to promote education in Malawi irrespective of race, gender, ethnicity, religion or any other discriminatory characteristics.

    In Phase One (1) of the reforms program, the Ministry committed to establish Higher Education Students Loans and Grants Board; decentralize payment of teachers’ salaries; liberalise the procurement of teaching and learning ,materials, and improve school infrastructure.

    In Phase Two (2), the Ministry committed to formulate a new criteria for promoting teachers; improve school governance and management through legally recognized institutions; establish Malawi Qualifications Authority; and Attract teachers to work in remote areas:

    Reform Areas in Phase 1

    • Establish Higher Education Students Loans and Grants Board
    • Decentralise Accounting, Human Resource and ICT Functions to Six Education Divisions
    • Improve Quality of Education (Teacher Management, School Infrastructure, Teaching and learning materials)

    Reform Areas in Phase 2

    • Introduce Criteria for Promoting Teachers
    • Improve School Governance and Management through Legally Recognized Institutions
    • Establish Malawi Qualifications Authority
    • Attract Teachers to Work in Remote Areas
  9. Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism
    The Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism is mandated to promote industry, trade, tourism and private sector development for sustainable economic growth.

    The Ministry signed for 3 reform areas:

    • Create Enabling and Competitive Environment for Private Sector Development
    • Enhance Industrial Development
    • Expand Domestic and International Market Share for Malawian Products and Services
  10. Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development
    The Mandate of Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development is to provide services that are aimed at (i) improving tenure security and equitable access to land in order to achieve sustainable use of land and land based resources; (ii) increasing access to decent and affordable housing; and (iii) improving structures and functions in urbanising systems by providing advisory services.

    Reforms for the Ministry are categorized into three namely:

    • Policy and Legal Reforms
    • Administrative Reforms
    • Institutional Reforms
  11. Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs
    The mandate of Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs is to provide legal services to the Government and its citizens. Its mission is to promote the rule of law through the provision of professional legal services to Government and other stakeholders in a transparent and accountable manner in order to ensure a just, fair and democratic society.

    Reforms in the Ministry aim at improving the delivery of justice, providing a robust legal environment for business and human security.

    • Policy and Legal Reforms (National Prosecution Policy and Intellectual Property Rights)
    • Public Service Reforms/Legislation Reforms
    • Administrative Reforms
    • Establishment of Collateral Registry
    • Introduction of Online Registration of Companies and Businesses
    • Provision of Information and Communication Services
  12. Ministry of Labour, Youth, Sports and Manpower Development
    The Ministry of Labour and Manpower Development is mandated to protect and develop the labour force in order to contribute to the socio-economic development in Malawi. This mandate is derived from the laws of Malawi, International Conventions and other legal instruments as follows: Labour Relations Act (1996); Occupational Safety, Health and Welfare Act (1997); TEVET Act (1999); Employment Act (2000);Workers Compensation Act (2000); and International Labour Conventions.

    The following are the reform areas for the Ministry:

    Department of Sports

    • Develop Guidelines for Standard Sport Facilities
    • Revise Management Structure for Sports in Malawi
    • Establish National Sports Development Fund
    • Establish Incentives and Welfare Programme for Sports Persons
    • National Fitness Programme
    • Establish Sports Marketing and Research Department at MNCS
    • National School Development Programme

    Department of Labour

    • Review of Temporary Employment Permit (TEP)
    • Establishment of Workers Compensation Fund
    • Abolishment of Tenancy Labour
    • Establishment of unified TEVET Assessment and Certification Body and Review of the Examination Setting Methodology
    • Establishment of a Labour Market Information System (LMIS)
    • Review of the Occupational Safety, Health and Welfare (OSHW) Act
    • Review of the Labour Relations Act (1996) and Employment Act (2000)
    • Transforming labour inspections (including OSHW)
  13. Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development
    The Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development is mandated to accelerate broad-based sustainable agriculture, water and irrigation development for socio-economic growth and development. It is aimed at improving agricultural productivity and sustainability through development and management of land and water resources to achieve food, nutrition and income security for economic growth and development.

    The following are the key reform areas in the Ministry:

    • Establishment of National Irrigation Board
    • Establishment of National Irrigation Fund
    • Restructuring of the Farm Inputs Subsidy Program
    • Restructuring of the Seed Services Unit (SSU)
    • Enactment of Enabling Agriculture Acts and Policies
    • Improved Water supply and sanitation regulation through establishment of Independent upstream National Water Resources Authority
  14. Ministry of Civic Education, Culture and Community Development
    The Ministry of Civic Education, Culture and Community Development has a mandate to contribute to sustainable national development through provision of civic education, cultural and community development services.

    The following are the key reform areas in the Ministry:

    • Restructuring the Department of Culture
    • Devolution of some Cultural Functions to Local Councils
    • Legal Reviews (Review and revise some Acts of Parliament and other legal instruments)
    • Relocation of Head Offices of the National Records and Archives Services
    • Establishment of the National Arts and Heritage Council
    • Introduction of Public Private Partnership (PPP) in management of some heritage
    • Establishment of Information Centres in some selected Cultural facilities and Heritage sites
    • Introduction and establishment of service charges, treasury fund and cultural development fund
    • Upgrading the management system for entertainment articles and facilities
    • Strengthen the Operations of the Department of Community Development
    • Launch the Community Development Month
    • Upgrade Magomero Community Development College to offer Diploma and Degree
    • Introduction of Zones/Zonal Offices
    • Revive Community Based Population Education Programmes
  15. Ministry of Defence
    The Ministry of Defence is mandated to enhance civil control of the Defence Forces and to provide strategic policy direction for upholding and defending the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Malawi against external and internal threats through dynamic defence strategies.

    The following are the key reform areas in the Ministry:

    • Commercialization of Malawi Defence Force Engineers Battalion
    • Establishment of a Military Referral Hospital
    • Use of MDF transport assets for non-military activities
    • Malawi Defence Force and Ministry of Defence Organizational Restructuring
  16. Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
    The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation is mandated to formulate and implement Malawi’s Foreign Policy in order to promote and protect Malawi’s interests.

    The following are the key reform areas in the Ministry:

    • Restructuring of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
    • Introduction of Career Foreign Service
    • Enactment of the Malawi Foreign Service and International Relations Bill
    • Establishment of the Malawi Foreign Service Training Programme
  17. Ministry of Gender, Disability and Social Welfare
    The Ministry of Gender, Disability and Social Welfare (MGD&SW) is mandated to promote gender equality and protect the welfare of Malawian women, men, girls and boys with special focus on persons with disabilities and older persons to become self-reliant and active participants and beneficiaries of the national socio-economic development agenda.

    The following are the key reform areas in the Ministry:

    • Providing conducive Policy and legal environment for the vulnerable groups
    • Strengthening the Ministry’s institutional capacity
    • Improving service delivery at community level
    • Promoting Gender, Children, Disability, Elderly mainstreaming