In an effort to save money, Lazarus Chakwera, the president of Malawi, has immediately halted all foreign travel for both himself and his administration.
In a Thursday, November 16, televised speech, the president revealed this.
The action comes after Malawi’s currency underwent a significant depreciation in exchange for an IMF loan intended to strengthen the country’s faltering economy.
All ministers who are currently abroad have been told to return home by Mr. Chakwera.
Senior government officials’ fuel allowances have been slashed by fifty percent.
There has been a severe gasoline and fuel shortage as well as significant inflation throughout Malawi’s economic upheaval.
The measures, according to Mr. Chakwera, will be in effect until March 2024, which is the conclusion of the fiscal year.
The president has requested the finance minister to include a reasonable pay increase for all civil servants in the upcoming budget review as part of efforts to alleviate the cost-of-living problem.
In order to assist workers whose wages have decreased in value, he has also ordered that the individual income tax be lowered in the next budget.
