Malawians 'struggling' to make ends meet due to soaring inflation: Video
Malawians are grappling with an increasing economic crisis as inflation surges to double digits, making it difficult for families to afford basic necessities.
Around the bustling markets of the capital, Lilongwe, vendors are barely staying afloat, and many are losing hope in their businesses.
“My business of used clothes is no longer profitable,” says Noria Chirambo, a vendor. “I am really struggling,” she told the AFP.
The deteriorating economic situation comes just months ahead of the country’s general elections in September, in which President Lazarus Chakwera is seeking a second term.
Steve Magombo, Chairperson of the Vendors Association in Lilongwe, explains the severity of the issue, “We marched to parliament to present our grievances to the government because our business partners, who are Indians and Chinese, have been raising commodity prices—sometimes three times in a day and with wide margins. We wanted our leaders to understand what our businesses are going through,” he shared.
For vendors like Chirambo, the crisis is not just a business issue, but a matter of survival.
She explained “I have a lot of problems at home because my business is no longer profitable, yet I have orphaned children to take care of. Commodity prices have gone up, and I have to pay school fees from the little money I make from vending. Because of the difficult economic situation, I am really struggling.”
Agness Nyirongo, an Economic Governance Programs Officer at the Center for Social Concern, highlights the dire impact of inflation on household livelihoods. “When you look at the rising prices of basic goods, it is causing significant problems for families. Providing for their needs—whether it is food, school fees, or healthcare—has become an immense challenge.”
The economic hardship is being felt across the country, with families struggling to afford essentials such as food, school fees, and healthcare.
