A civil society organisation known as Mbadwa Zokhudzidwa has urged the Ministry of Trade to involve sugar distributors in efforts to resolve the ongoing sugar shortage in Malawi.
Speaking at a press briefing in Lilongwe, spokesperson of the grouping, Redson Munlo, said distributors are critical in ensuring sugar reaches remote areas.
“They are part of the solution. Any discussions without them are incomplete,” Munlo said.
The group, which includes Frederick Billy Malata and Agape Khombe, issued recommendations, including engaging Illovo and Salima Sugar Limited for guaranteed local supply, supporting rural vendors through licensing, and increasing public transparency with weekly sugar stock updates.
Malata warned that sugar scarcity could be politicised, and urged the Ministry of Trade to prioritise local needs before approving exports.
“Traders must be patriotic. Overpricing punishes the poor. We know others are bent on using this scarcity as a political campaign tool. We also can’t rule out sabotage as such let the ministry bring all these stakeholders together,” said Malata.
In his remarks, Khombe added that the experience of distributors must be recognised: “They’ve been in this business for years. Their insight is valuable, thus they shouldn’t be left behind,” said Khombe.
The group concluded by calling for sustainable and transparent reforms to Malawi’s sugar supply systems, emphasising that bans are not enough.
The press briefing ended with a pledge to continue engaging government for inclusive, long-term solutions to ensure every Malawian has access to sugar an essential commodity in Malawi.
