2026 in Malawi
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| See also: | Other events of 2026 History of Malawi | ||||
This article lists events from the year 2026 in Malawi.
Incumbents
Events
January
- 5 January – President Peter Mutharika reshuffles his Cabinet, abolishing the Ministry of State and reassigning several ministers, as announced by Chief Secretary to the Government Justin Sadack Saidi.[1]
- 6 January – Researchers announce the discovery of the oldest known intentional cremation pyre in Africa at the Hora 1 archaeological site in northern Malawi, dating to about 9,500 years ago.[2]
- 14 January – FDH Bank announces a five-year sponsorship deal worth K5 billion for the top-flight football league, renaming it the FDH Bank Premiership and ending TNM’s 18-year sponsorship of the Super League of Malawi.[3]
- 20 January – The Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority raises petrol and diesel pump prices by more than 40%, marking one of the largest fuel price increases in recent years and prompting concerns about rising transport and living costs nationwide.[4]
- 23 January – At least one person is reported dead while 16 others are diagnosed with cholera following an outbreak of the disease in Chilomoni, Blantyre.[5]
February
- 2 February – President Mutharika meets Luxembourg’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Xavier Bettel, in Lilongwe, highlighting strong bilateral relations and calls for increased investment between the two countries.[6]
- 3 February
- The Supreme Court of Appeal rules that the Reserve Bank of Malawi must compensate Finance Bank for losses following the unlawful revocation of its licence in 2005.[7]
- The government declares a polio outbreak.[8]
- 13 February – President Mutharika delivers the State of the Nation Address (SONA) and officially opens the 2026/2027 budget meeting of Parliament.[9]
- 17 February – Authorities in Chikwawa intercept a hearse transporting 30 bags of illegally traded charcoal concealed beneath an empty coffin, valued at around £1,200. The nine suspects later escape custody.[10]
- 24 February – President Mutharika orders a fresh inquiry into the Chikangawa plane crash that killed former Vice-President Saulos Chilima and eight others in June 2024.[11]
- 27 February – Finance Minister Joseph Mwanamveka unveils a nearly K11 trillion national budget for the 2026/2027 financial year during a parliamentary session in Lilongwe.[12]
Holidays
- 1 January – New Year's Day
- 15 January – John Chilembwe Day
- 3 March – Martyrs' Day
- 20 March – Eid al-Fitr
- 3 April – Good Friday
- 6 April – Easter Monday
- 1 May – Labour Day
- 14 May – Kamuzu Day
- 6 July – Independence Day
- 15 October – Mother's Day
- 25 December – Christmas Day
- 26 December – Boxing Day
Deaths
- 8 January – Madalitso Kazombo, 46, politician, former first deputy speaker of the National Assembly.[15]
References
- ^ "Mutharika reshuffles cabinet within three months: Abolishes Minister of State". www.maravipost.com. Retrieved 2026-01-06.
- ^ Strickland, Ashley (2026-01-06). "Oldest known cremation pyre in Africa reveals mysterious woman who lived 9,500 years ago". CNN. Retrieved 2026-01-08.
- ^ Manda, Solomon (2026-01-15). "FDH Bank takes over topflight league sponsorship". Nation Online. Retrieved 2026-01-15.
- ^ "Malawi raises fuel prices by more than 40%". BBC. 2026-01-20. Retrieved 2026-01-23.
- ^ "Malawi rolls out cholera vaccines as rains and floods raise the threat of deadly outbreaks". AP News. 2026-01-23. Retrieved 2026-01-23.
- ^ "Malawi: Mutharika Hails Strong Malawi–Luxembourg Ties, Calls for Increased Investment". PAN AFRICAN VISIONS. 2026-02-03. Retrieved 2026-02-03.
- ^ "RBM to pay 'dead' bank billions". Nation Online. 2026-02-04. Retrieved 2026-02-07.
- ^ "Malawi declares polio outbreak, reviving fears of another resurgence". Africanews. Retrieved 4 February 2026.
- ^ Mwale, Winston (2026-02-13). "Mutharika Vows Recovery, Blasts Predecessor's 'Man-Made Crisis' in Historic Address". AfricaBrief. Retrieved 2026-02-13.
- ^ "Malawi launches search for suspects in fake funeral charcoal smuggling". BBC. 17 February 2026. Retrieved 23 February 2026.
- ^ "Mutharika orders fresh inquiry on Chikangawa Plane Crash". The Maravi Post. 2026-02-24. Retrieved 2026-02-24.
- ^ Mtemang’ombe, Eric (2026-02-28). "Mwanamvekha unveils Budget". Nation Online. Retrieved 2026-02-28.
- ^ "Malawi Public Holidays 2026". Public Holidays Global. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
- ^ "Holidays and Observances in Malawi in 2026". www.timeanddate.com. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
- ^ "Malawi Mourns Former Deputy Speaker Madalitso Kazombo - PAN AFRICAN VISIONS". 2026-01-08. Retrieved 2026-01-09.