By Bertha Banda & Jarson Malowa:
As the clock counts down to the end of the year 2025 in four days’ time, Malawians across the country have given varied assessment of the year, largely highlighting the pangs they have had to endure.
But they are also not entirely pessimistic about the future, building their hope on some developments they have witnessed within the year.
We spoke with ordinary Malawians from the districts of Mwanza, Ntcheu, Zomba, Lilongwe, Dowa, Mzimba, Karonga and Phalombe for their review of the year and their expectations about the new year that’s just around the corner.
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Among almost all of them, two issues have been particularly common.
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First, the economic hardships – characterised by persistent fuel scarcity, food shortages, high cost of living and of doing business – in the ending year have greatly affected the quality of lives of people, they said.
But, secondly, the peaceful transfer of power after the September elections and Malawians strength of character against the economic odds and collective consciousness in time of crisis have emerged as prominent signs around which Malawians have built their optimism that the country can achieve great things.
All this, however, hinges on “better and honest leadership”, they have told Malawi News.
One of them, Pemphero Thunde from Dowa, said in 2025, high cost of living, food and fuel shortages and lack of job opportunities made life difficult for many Malawians.
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“Despite these challenges, Malawians showed strength and unity, helping one another and remaining peaceful. We had peaceful elections on 16 September.
“My wish for 2026 is for better and honest leadership, economic stability, affordable food, improved services, and more opportunities for young people, so that life becomes better for all Malawians,” he said.
In Ntcheu, Loney Mnthambala from Champiti Village, TA Champiti also said the peaceful conduct of elections in September was Malawi’s pinnacle achievement in the year, something she said the country needs to build on to improve sectors of development such as agriculture “for better harvests, reduced hunger and improved livelihoods”.
For, Dreck Kaiya from Kainga Village in Traditional Authority Mpando also in the district, politicians hold the card for Malawi to get better and for the quality of life of people to improve.
“Malawians hoped for change after elections. But this is not happening fast enough. While maize prices have gone down, the prices of other goods remain high.
“Elections should not benefit politicians and those in higher positions only but also ordinary Malawians. I hope that leaders will prioritize citizens in 2026. Politicians should think about ordinary Malawians when making decisions,” he said.
Gladys Kaliya from Nyezelera in Phalombe said the year 2025 has caused tremendous stress on many Malawians, yet there is also reason to be hopeful.
“Many families lived with uncertainty as the year exposed serious problems in the economy and public service delivery.
“Still, the patience and strength of ordinary Malawians stood out. My hope for 2026 is honest leadership, stability in the country and real changes that bring back hope and dignity to everyday life,” she said.
Regina Meya of Thondwe in Zomba said Malawi could make progress if leaders fight the vices of political instability and corruption that undermine peace and hinder progress.
Her wish for 2026 is sustainable economic growth and good governance and reduced corruption to equitable and efficient distribution of resources to all Malawians.
Regarding the elections, the then president Lazarus Chakwera conceded defeat soon after the announcement of the official results by the Malawi Electoral Commission on September 24, 2025.
In a televised address the following day, he committed a smooth power handover to President Peter Mutharika who won the elections with 58 percent of the vote.
Chakwera described the election outcome as a reflection of the collective will of Malawians to change government.
“The people of Malawi have spoken, and I respect their verdict,” he said.
But also, a week ahead of the elections, Chakwera had apologized to Malawians for the hardships they were facing.
In a national address, he singled out fuel crisis as causing Malawians a lot of suffering.
He blamed it on sabotage by what he called a corrupt cartel comprising opposition leaders and officials at the state-run National Oil Company of Malawi (Nocma).
On September 26, Mutharika described his victory in the election as a victory “for our democracy, for our Constitution, and most importantly, for every Malawian who believes in a better tomorrow.”
He also commended Chakwera for conceding defeat.
“To my brother, Dr Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, I commend you for your gracious concession.
“You have demonstrated statesmanship, and your commitment to Malawi’s peace and democratic values deserves the highest respect. I thank you,” he said.
