A recent study by the Institute for Policy Interaction and the University of Texas found that Malawi's parliamentary candidates spent an average of K88.8 million each in the September 16, 2025 elections, a significant increase from K14.8 million in 2019. However, the country's election-finance rules do not fully account for the millions being spent, raising concerns over the financing of political power in Malawi. The Office of the Registrar of Political Parties states that Malawi lacks a specific legal framework imposing campaign spending limits or giving the regulator a comprehensive mandate to track election-specific financial flows.
The existing legal framework in Malawi deals with political party financing generally, rather than campaign-specific spending. According to ORPP chief Kizito Tenthani, the current laws do not provide specific requirements for parties to observe in campaign finance. The Westminster Foundation for Democracy reported that expensive campaigns disproportionately disadvantage women and young people, increasing the potential influence of wealthy financiers. This has resulted in a political marketplace where the ability to raise and spend money can become as important as the ability to persuade voters.
The Political Parties Act requires political parties to disclose individual donations exceeding K1 million and organisational contributions above K2 million within 90 days. However, governance experts argue that donation disclosure alone does not amount to a comprehensive campaign finance regime. Benedicto Kondowe, chairperson of the Civil Society Elections Integrity Forum, stated that campaign finance must address not only who gives money to political parties but also how much is raised and spent, what it is spent on, and how candidates and parties account for it.
The escalating cost of politics in Malawi has reinforced existing inequalities. According to the Westminster Foundation for Democracy, expensive campaigns have created a political environment dominated by older and wealthier male candidates. Although the Malawi Electoral Commission reduced nomination fees for women and youth to K1.25 million, this reduction addresses only a small fraction of the actual cost of running a campaign. Female candidates face greater financial barriers due to structural inequalities, including limited access to formal credit.
The average campaign expenditure for female candidates is about K90.4 million, while for young candidates under 35, it stands at K54.5 million. The high expenses, uncertain electoral returns, and competition against established politicians with extensive patronage networks discourage many young people from contesting. Experts warn that opaque political financing poses wider economic risks, including corruption and tax evasion. Audetter Masaninga, a legal expert, stated that corruption consumes about five percent of Malawi's gross domestic product, while tax evasion accounts for an estimated eight percent to 12 percent.
Weak transparency mechanisms create opportunities for questionable funds to enter politics without scrutiny. Gift Sambo, an expert in electoral and legislative politics, warned that private financiers prefer secrecy because they are uncomfortable with public disclosure of political contributions. This culture of secrecy can undermine accountability and weaken the prospects of people-centred leadership. The European Union Election Observation Mission report highlighted campaign finance weaknesses, noting that Malawi has limited restrictions on sources of donations.
Experts and human rights defenders are calling for a fundamental shift in how political financing is regulated in Malawi. Gift Trapence, a human rights defender, called for Parliament to introduce a dedicated campaign finance law with expenditure ceilings, stronger disclosure requirements, and measures to create a more level playing field for women, youth, and less wealthy candidates. Trapence also suggested that candidates should be required to use separate campaign bank accounts, subject to independent audits, while financial disclosures should be made public during the election period.
Key points
- Expensive campaigns in Malawi disproportionately disadvantage women and young people.
- The country's election-finance rules do not fully account for the millions being spent in campaigns.
- A dedicated campaign finance law with expenditure ceilings and stronger disclosure requirements is needed to create a more level playing field.
