By John Tewesa

The Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) has called on government agencies to intensify crackdowns on illegal foreign exchange trading, warning that the practice is worsening the country’s economic challenges.

In a statement jointly signed by CCJP National Coordinator Lewis Msiyadungu and eight diocesan coordinators, the commission said illegal forex trading has become increasingly normalized, disrupting supply chains for essential goods and fuel.

The commission noted that the challenge has been driven by growing mistrust in the formal financial system, coupled with exchange control measures.

CCJP has since urged the Reserve Bank of Malawi, the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, and the Ministry of Trade to address structural trade imbalances and critically low foreign exchange reserves to help restore stability in the economy.