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The 2026 Annual Report from the Malawi Chamber of Mines and Energy highlights a transformative period driven by the modernisation of the Mines and Minerals Act, which grants the government flexible ownership stakes. The sector is advancing five major critical mineral projects—targeting uranium, rare earths, niobium, and rutile—which are projected to attract $5.2 billion in capital investment over a decade and generate $694 million in annual revenue, or roughly 12% of national GDP. To support this economic growth, the National Oil Company of Malawi (NOCMA) is stabilising the energy sector by rebuilding fuel reserves and importing 412,000 metric tonnes of fuel for the 2026/27 fiscal year. Backed by record-high membership growth to 22 partners in 2026, the Chamber remains heavily committed to driving economic self-reliance through localized sourcing and expanding indirect employment up to ten-fold.
The CMEM Strategic Plan 2025–2030 sets out a bold vision to position Malawi’s mining and energy sector as a credible driver of economic diversification, jobs, and sustainable development. Anchored on strong governance, institutional strengthening, and responsible mining, the plan focuses on building trust between industry, government, communities, and artisanal miners while promoting transparency, ESG standards, and streamlined regulation. By strengthening its institutional capacity, deepening public and community engagement, advocating for policy reforms, and integrating artisanal and small-scale mining into the formal economy, CMEM presents itself as a unifying voice for a resilient, inclusive, and globally aligned minerals sector—inviting stakeholders to engage, collaborate, and be part of shaping Malawi’s mining future
The Mines and Minerals Act, 2023 establishes a modern, transparent, and investment-ready framework for governing Malawi’s mineral resources, balancing economic growth with environmental protection and community welfare. It creates an independent Mining and Minerals Regulatory Authority, clearly defines mineral ownership, licensing, fiscal obligations, and enforcement powers, and introduces strong safeguards for sustainability, local participation, and accountability across artisanal, small-, medium-, and large-scale mining. By aligning mining governance with sustainable development principles, fiscal transparency, and global best practice, the Act positions Malawi as a credible destination for responsible mining while ensuring that mineral wealth delivers long-term value to citizens—making it essential reading for investors, policymakers, communities, and anyone interested in the future of Malawi’s extractive sector
The CMEM Membership Application Form provides a clear and straightforward pathway for mining and energy companies to formally join Malawi’s leading industry body, capturing essential details on company registration, operations, licensing, and designated representatives. It also outlines flexible membership tiers—Platinum, Gold, and Silver—allowing organizations of different sizes to participate, contribute, and benefit at an appropriate level while encouraging value-adding initiatives such as internships. By combining transparency, accountability, and ease of access, the form reflects CMEM’s commitment to building a credible, inclusive, and collaborative minerals sector—inviting prospective members to take the first step toward shaping the future of mining and energy in Malawi
The Government of Malawi outlined plans to transform the mining sector into a major driver of economic growth, aiming to increase its contribution to GDP from 1% to 20% by 2030. Despite abundant mineral resources, the sector faces challenges such as illegal mining, weak regulations, and limited investment. In response, the government has suspended new licences, is reforming policies and laws, and is taking strong action against illegal gold mining through formalization, market creation, and enforcement. By strengthening institutions, improving regulation, and investing in exploration and capacity, the government seeks to boost revenue, create jobs, and support sustainable development under the Malawi 2063 vision.