By Suleman Chitera
Speaker of Parliament Sameer Suleman has announced that Minister of Finance Joseph Mwanamvekha will present the 2026/27 National Budget on Friday, February 27, 2026, at 2:00pm.
Suleman made the announcement in the House on Tuesday afternoon as he outlined the parliamentary programme for the coming days, marking a critical period in Malawi’s legislative and fiscal calendar.
According to the Speaker, Members of Parliament will immediately commence debate on the State of the Nation Address (SONA) delivered last Friday by President Peter Mutharika. The debate will run from today through to Friday, February 27 at noon, paving the way for the budget presentation later the same day.
The SONA debate is expected to provide lawmakers with an opportunity to scrutinise government performance across key sectors, including the economy, agriculture, energy, education, health, and governance, while also shaping expectations and priorities ahead of the national budget.
The 2026/27 National Budget is anticipated to outline the government’s revenue mobilisation strategies, expenditure priorities, and policy interventions aimed at stabilising the economy, addressing cost-of-living pressures, and stimulating growth. It will also set the tone for fiscal discipline, debt management, and social protection measures in the next financial year.
Following the budget presentation, Parliament is expected to subject the proposed estimates to rigorous debate and committee scrutiny before passage, a process that traditionally tests the government’s policy coherence and responsiveness to public concerns.
The budget comes at a time when Malawians are keenly watching for concrete measures to address economic challenges, including inflation, unemployment, and access to affordable basic commodities, making the upcoming parliamentary proceedings particularly significant.
