President Lazarus Chakwera has pledged to more than double the total amount allocated to Malawi’s Constituency Development Fund (CDF) to MWK500 million (about US$288,000) if re-elected in next month’s general elections.
Speaking during a whistle-stop campaign rally at Ntchisi Boma on Tuesday, Chakwera said the increased allocation would accelerate delivery of essential services such as roads, schools and healthcare facilities, directly improving the lives of citizens across the country.
“We are committed to increasing the Constituency Development Fund, which enables us to continue implementing projects that benefit our communities,” Chakwera said.
He said the increase in the CDF pot is meant to make a meaningful difference in the lives of Malawians.
“We want to ensure that our people have access to good roads, schools, healthcare facilities and other essential services.”
The CDF, introduced in Malawi in 2006, is a central government transfer to constituencies aimed at financing small-scale infrastructure and service delivery projects.
Managed by Members of Parliament, the fund is designed to respond to immediate community development needs and support fiscal decentralization.
Currently set at MWK220 million (about US$115,000), the fund has been credited with expanding access to basic services in rural areas although critics have raised concerns about transparency, political interference and uneven implementation.
Civil society groups have called for stronger oversight and community participation in project selection and monitoring.
Chakwera’s pledge comes as political parties ramp up campaign promises ahead of the 2025 elections, with infrastructure, service delivery and corruption emerging as key voter priorities.
Malawians will go to the polls on 16 September to elect a president, members of parliament and loca
JN/APA