Malawi’s urgent efforts to secure 200,000 metric tonnes (MT) of maize from Zambia have hit a significant roadblock, with delays in remitting the crucial 40% down payment, valued at approximately K53.9 billion ($30.8 million), stalling the inflow of the much-needed grain. The total value of the deal, sealed between Malawian President Peter Mutharika and his Zambian counterpart Hakainde Hichilema, stands at a hefty K134.8 billion ($77 million).
The procurement is essential to address Malawi’s massive 800,000 MT national maize deficit and provide relief to an estimated four million Malawians currently facing acute food insecurity. Despite the deal being formally signed in Lilongwe on October 22, 2025, and President Mutharika initially indicating deliveries would commence by October 31, the grain remains held up in Zambia.
Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development spokesperson Arnold Namanja confirmed that authorities are still grappling with the final logistics, including processing the mandatory down payment stipulated by the agreement.
“According to the agreement, the Government of Malawi is required to pay 40 percent of the total contract value before the maize is uplifted into the country,” Namanja stated.
Financial challenges are evident, as Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development Roza Fatch Mbilizi disclosed on November 1 that only K46 billion ($26.18 million) of the total K168.82 billion ($96.42 million) required for the six-month Lean Season Food Insecurity Response Programme has been mobilised.
To unlock the Zambian supply, a coordinated effort involving the Ministries of Agriculture, Justice, and Treasury, along with the National Food Reserve Agency (NFRA), is underway. Cooperating partners, notably the World Bank, are also involved in the push to finalise the 40% transaction, which is the immediate prerequisite for deliveries to commence.
Namanja emphasized the government’s desire to accelerate the negotiation and documentation process to ensure the maize is swiftly moved and adequate stock levels are built up in the Strategic Grain Reserves (SGR) ahead of the critical lean season (October 2025 – March 2026). The maize is not only intended for relief efforts but also for market price stabilisation via the Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (ADMARC).
While awaiting the Zambian imports, domestic measures have been initiated. The Department of Disaster Management Affairs (Dodma) is drawing 25,982.24 MT from the SGR for immediate distribution, while ADMARC is scheduled to draw another 10,000 MT for price stabilisation. NFRA is also continuing its local procurement efforts from mega farmers to supplement the critical Zambian consignment.
Zambia’s role is pivotal in averting a full-blown food crisis, underscoring the strong economic and trade dependency within the regional bloc as Malawi races against the clock to meet its contractual financial obligations.
