Lilongwe, Malawi

January 6, 2026

Mzangunya Mkandawire

President Mutharika Reshuffles Cabinet, Abolishes Minister of State Position

President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika has announced a major cabinet reshuffle, abolishing the position of Minister of State in a move aimed at streamlining government operations and reducing public expenditure amid ongoing economic challenges.

The changes, which take immediate effect, were announced in a press statement issued by Chief Secretary to the Government, Dr. Justin Adack K. Saidi, and are made under powers granted to the President by Section 92 (1) of the Constitution of the Republic of Malawi.

The Minister of State portfolio had been part of the administration formed following the September 2025 general elections, in which President Mutharika secured a landslide victory. Its removal is being widely interpreted as a response to public calls for fiscal discipline and lean government.

The reshuffle retains several key ministerial portfolios while introducing a number of deputy minister appointments, a move government sources say is intended to enhance coordination, decentralize decision-making, and improve service delivery in priority sectors.

Under the new arrangement, President Mutharika remains President and Commander-in-Chief of the Malawi Defence Force and Malawi Police Service, supported by First Vice President Dr. Jane Ansah, SC, JA (Rtd), and Second Vice President Enoch Kamzingeni Chihana.

The economic cluster continues to be led by Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Decentralization, Joseph Mwanamvekha, MP, alongside portfolios overseeing agriculture, trade, energy, and labour—sectors viewed as central to economic recovery.

Among notable appointments:

George T. Chaponda, MP retains Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
Roza Fachi Mbilizi, MP heads Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development
George Patridge takes charge of Industrialisation, Business, Trade and Tourism
Alfred Gangata, MP has been appointed Minister of Natural Resources
Jean Mathanga, MP oversees Energy and Mining

The reshuffle also introduces several deputy ministers in ministries including Agriculture, Health, Education, Natural Resources, Gender, and Industrialization, signaling increased operational support in service-heavy departments.

Political analysts describe the reshuffle as a strategic recalibration barely three months into President Mutharika’s new term, aimed at injecting momentum into governance and aligning cabinet performance with campaign promises.

“The appointment of deputy ministers suggests a deliberate effort to strengthen implementation capacity, especially in agriculture, health, and education—areas critical to economic stability and social resilience,” said one governance analyst.

The abolition of the Minister of State position has drawn particular attention, with commentators viewing it as a symbolic and practical cost-saving measure, reinforcing the administration’s commitment to fiscal prudence.

According to the Chief Secretary’s statement, all appointments and structural changes take effect immediately, as the administration moves to consolidate its policy agenda amid economic recovery efforts and climate-related pressures.

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