Parliament has commenced the orientation of newly elected Members of Parliament, urging lawmakers to transform Malawi’s thriving democracy into meaningful development that improves people’s lives.
A total of 224 elected members of parliament are expected to participate in the orientation, which will familiarize them with parliamentary procedures.
During the opening ceremony, Clerk of Parliament Fiona Kalemba reminded the newly elected legislators of their core responsibilities: legislation, oversight, and representation. She urged them to pass laws that will benefit all Malawians, enabling citizens to appreciate the role of the National Assembly.
“The laws you pass should benefit ordinary Malawians from all corners of the country and address the needs of people such as farmers and entrepreneurs. You must ensure connectivity through roads and implement policies that deliver results,” she said.
Kalemba emphasized that MPs must ensure meaningful governance by passing laws and policies that produce tangible results for all Malawians.
In his speech, Dr. Eliya Msiyaphazi Zulu, Executive Director of the African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP), noted that Malawi continues to face challenges such as corruption, food insecurity, slow economic growth, and unemployment, all of which contribute to rising poverty levels.
Dr. Zulu warned that the country’s rapidly growing population, projected to reach 44 million by 2063, necessitates urgent investments in education, health, and job creation.
He further emphasized the need for stronger accountability and an end to corruption, stating that every kwacha must be used for its intended purpose. The registration process for newly elected Members of Parliament began on Saturday at the Parliament Building in Lilongwe.
The orientation workshop for the MPs-elect will take place from Monday, October 20 to Friday, October 24, 2025, at the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe, under the theme: “From Election to Action: Empowering Parliamentarians for Impactful Legislation, Governance, and Transformative Leadership.”
The Swearing-In Ceremony will be held in the Chamber of the Parliament Building in Lilongwe from Monday, October 27 to Tuesday, October 28, 2025.
