President Lazarus Chakwera has officially launched his 2025 presidential campaign, unveiling a transformative five-pillar manifesto focused on food security, job creation, wealth building, governance reform, and improved public service delivery.
Addressing thousands of supporters at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe on Friday, Chakwera urged Malawians to grant him another five-year mandate to complete development projects disrupted by crises during his first term.
“Despite the storms we’ve faced, including COVID-19, global economic shocks, Cyclone Freddy, and the Chikangawa tragedy, we have laid a solid foundation. With your trust, we will finish the job,” he said.
Chakwera acknowledged that some 2020 promises stalled due to global and domestic challenges but noted progress in infrastructure, health, and housing. He cited achievements such as thousands of houses for security officers, the completion of the National Cancer Centre, and major road upgrades nationwide.
The new manifesto seeks to eradicate hunger through comprehensive agricultural reforms, ensure sustainable food security, and create three million jobs, especially for the youth. He unveiled the Ten-Ten Makwacha Youth Challenge to provide startup capital for young entrepreneurs and pledged to revamp the National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF).
On governance reform, Chakwera proposed empowering residents to elect city mayors instead of government-appointed CEOs and restructuring ministries to reduce inefficiencies through digital transformation.
Public service delivery promises include improved sanitation in schools and markets and a groundbreaking plan to open “future accounts” for every newborn, with government deposits of K500,000 accessible when they turn 18, aiming to end generational poverty.
“This is how we build a Malawi where poverty is not inherited,” Chakwera declared to loud applause.
The rally marked the official kickoff of the Malawi Congress Party’s campaign ahead of the September 16 general elections, setting the stage for a heated electoral season.
