By Suleman Chitera

LILONGWE, Malawi — Minister of Finance Joseph Mwanamvekha has assured Parliament that the United Kingdom’s planned reduction in financial assistance to Malawi will not disrupt the implementation of the 2026/27 National Budget, saying the government had already factored the expected cuts into its budget planning.

Mwanamvekha made the remarks while responding to a question from Lilongwe Msinja South Member of Parliament Francis Belekanyama, who sought clarification on the impact of the UK’s decision to slash its financial support to Malawi by about 90 percent.Mwanamvekha Holds Key IMF Talks in Gambia

According to the minister, British financial assistance is expected to decline from K117.9 billion to approximately K11.7 billion by 2028, raising concerns over the financing of development programmes.

However, Mwanamvekha told lawmakers that the government anticipated the reduction before preparing the 2026/27 budget, meaning the expected loss of funding will not affect the current fiscal plan.Cash, Smear Campaigns, and Political Panic: The Plot to Undermine Mwanamvekha

“The reduction in UK assistance had already been taken into account before the budget was formulated,” Mwanamvekha explained, assuring Parliament that the government remains confident in implementing its spending priorities.

He added that the biggest impact of the funding cuts will be felt by non-governmental organisations (NGOs), many of which implement projects financed by the UK government in sectors such as health, education, governance and community development.

Despite the reduction in British aid, Mwanamvekha expressed optimism that Malawi’s development agenda will continue to receive international support, noting that while some development partners have reduced their contributions, others are expected to increase assistance.Mwanamvekha Secures $51 Million in Single Foreign Trip as Malawians Praise Results-Oriented Leadership

His remarks come amid growing concern over shifts in global development financing, with several donor countries reviewing their foreign aid budgets in response to domestic economic pressures and changing international priorities.

The Finance Minister’s assurance is expected to provide confidence to government institutions and stakeholders involved in implementing the 2026/27 budget, while attention now turns to how affected NGOs will adjust to the anticipated reduction in UK-funded programmes.

The UK has traditionally been one of Malawi’s key development partners, supporting initiatives in healthcare, education, governance, humanitarian assistance and economic development. The planned reduction in aid is therefore expected to have its greatest impact on externally funded projects managed outside direct government budget support.Mwanamvekha Defends Tax Hikes, Says Malawi Was on the Brink of Financial Collapse