When the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) transferred its head offices from Blantyre to the capital, Lilongwe in 2023, followed by the Malawi Prison Service from Zomba in 2024, and later the Malawi Housing Corporation (MHC) and Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) from Blantyre—the moves were part of a decentralisation agenda under former President Lazarus Chakwera.

The objective was to strengthen coordination among state agencies by bringing them closer to the administrative capital.

However, earlier this week, President Peter Mutharika issued an executive order reversing those relocations—directing that the institutions return to their original bases in the Southern Region.

In justifying his decision, Mutharika said the move aimed to “strategically realign and relocate certain government institutions to promote effective governance, balanced regional development, and improved service delivery across the country.”

He further instructed that the relocation process be completed within three months.

The directive has sparked debate among experts, with some welcoming it as an opportunity to stimulate regional growth, while others warn that it could impose significant governance, logistical, financial, and administrative burdens on the government and employees.

Policy and governance implications

In an interview, Dr. Tiyesere Mercy Chikapa, Senior Lecturer in Public Administration and Human Resource Management at the University of Malawi (UNIMA), said the move presents several service and logistical challenges.

“The decision has both advantages and disadvantages,” said Dr. Chikapa. “However, from a policy and cost perspective, the disadvantages outweigh the benefits.”

She explained that most government ministries, policy-making institutions, and major development partners are headquartered in Lilongwe, making it more cost-effective and administratively efficient for public institutions to operate from the capital.

“When institutions are located in Lilongwe, they minimize travel costs and maintain stronger working relationships with other organizations and policymakers,” she noted. “Relocating them weakens these institutional linkages and increases logistical expenses associated with meetings and consultations.”

Dr. Chikapa added that the move could reverse strategic decisions that were made to improve institutional performance.

“For instance, MEC’s relocation to Lilongwe was based on its strategic plan for administrative efficiency. Reversing that decision contradicts the rationale that guided its earlier move,” she said.

She further warned that such decisions can easily be interpreted through a political lens, potentially fuelling perceptions of regional favouritism.

“When such decisions are interpreted politically, they can create unnecessary regional divisions,” she cautioned.

‘It affects women more than men’

Dr. Chikapa highlighted that the relocation will likely have unequal effects on women and men employees, reflecting broader gender dynamics in Malawi’s labour market.

“In cities like Zomba and Blantyre, there are limited job opportunities,” she explained. “Many women working in these institutions are in Lilongwe because their spouses work there. Relocating these offices forces them to choose between their jobs and their families.”

She said the situation could lead to an increase in commuter marriages—where couples live apart due to employment demands—or households maintaining two homes, one in Lilongwe and another in the relocated city.

“At the end of the day, this affects women more than men,” Dr. Chikapa said. “Women are often expected to follow their spouses, and relocation decisions like these can disrupt their careers and family stability.”

Dr. Chikapa recommended that government adopt a gender-responsive approach in implementing administrative reforms and relocation decisions.

“Before relocating any institution, there should be a gender impact assessment to identify potential effects on women and men,” she advised.

She also called on government to provide adequate disturbance allowances to all employees who will be affected by the move.

Dr. Bernadetta Malunga, a law lecturer at the University of Malawi, said the executive order does not appear to violate any law, provided the decision was made in consultation with relevant authorities.

“I don’t know of any law at the moment that would make the actions of the President illegal,” she said.

Dr. Malunga explained that the relocations have both economic and administrative implications.

“For instance, when institutions such as MACRA, MHC, and MEC were moved to Lilongwe, they had to rent new offices, thereby incurring additional expenses,” she observed. “So, depending on where one sits, you may justify or question the decision based on cost, convenience, or regional balance.”

From an economic perspective, Economics Association of Malawi (ECAMA) president Bertha Bangara-Chikadza acknowledged both the challenges and potential benefits of the relocation.

In an interview, Chikadza said that while the move may initially strain government resources due to relocation costs, it could, in the long term, help reduce expenditure on office rentals in Lilongwe.

“Despite the financial burden, it will also help government to save rental costs for institutions such as MEC, MACRA, and MHC,” she said.