By Suleman Chitera | Blantyre, Malawi
President Peter Mutharika has assured Malawians that his government will only procure fertiliser from reputable suppliers to ensure quality and reliability, saying “we will not buy fertiliser from butcheries.”
The president made the remarks during a high-level meeting with Scotland’s First Minister, John Swinney, at Sanjika Palace in Blantyre, where the two leaders discussed bilateral cooperation and development support.
Mutharika reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to stabilising Malawi’s economy by ensuring steady supplies of food, foreign exchange, fertiliser, and fuel, which he described as key pillars for national growth.
“Our focus is to make sure that Malawi has consistent supplies of essential commodities like fertiliser, food, forex, and fuel. We will engage only credible and reputable suppliers to avoid past mistakes,” said Mutharika.
He added that his government is prioritising infrastructure development, particularly in road, rail, and water transport, to improve the movement of goods and agricultural produce across the country.
The president further highlighted ongoing and planned projects in the energy and mining sectors, stressing that these are vital for economic transformation but remain constrained by limited financial resources.
“We have ambitious projects in energy and mining that can change the face of our economy. However, the major challenge is financing. We are hopeful that the Government of Scotland will support some of these initiatives,” he said.
In response, First Minister John Swinney commended Malawi’s commitment to good governance and sustainable development, pledging Scotland’s continued partnership in key sectors such as education, health, and renewable energy.
The meeting comes as Malawi continues efforts to strengthen international partnerships and attract investment to revitalise its agricultural and industrial base.
