Youth turn spotlight on public borrowing

By Myra Elias: Young Malawians have challenged the government to improve public debt management by reducing domestic borrowing and increasing transparency in loan agreements. Presenting a position paper during the 2026 National Youth Symposium on Public Debt in Lilongwe, chairperson of a consortium of youth-led organisations Chifundo Robert urged the government to reduce domestic borrowing from the current 65 percent of total public debt to below 50 percent within the next three years. Robert said this could be achieved through increased concessional external financing and stronger domestic revenue mobilisation. The consortium also called for the establishment of a publicly accessible real-time debt dashboard to provide citizens with information on loan agreements, including repayment terms, interest rates and intended purposes. It further recommended creating platforms that empower rural communities with financial literacy to improve public understanding of public finance. Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Finance Patrick Liphava said government was making progress in stabilising public debt through reduced borrowing and strengthened fiscal discipline. Liphava said the government was implementing reforms, including the Economic Recovery Plan, to reduce public spending and improve management of national resources. "Government has taken note of the recommendations you have raised and they are in line with the work that is already being done," he said. He commended the youth for organising the symposium, saying their involvement showed growing interest in national issues affecting the country's future. United Nations acting Resident Coordinator Penelope Campbell described the youth-led initiative as a timely platform for discussions on public debt and its implications for future generations. Campbell said youth participation in national conversations was important in building an inclusive and accountable society as Malawi pursued its long-term development goals under Malawi 2063. "The time has come for young people to engage directly and constructively with government institutions, policymakers and other stakeholders on issues that affect their daily lives," she said

WIRE — By Myra Elias: Young Malawians have challenged the government to improve public debt management by reducing domestic borrowing and increasing transparency in loan agreements. Presenting a position paper during the 2026 National Youth Symposium on Public Debt in Lilongwe, chairperson of a consortium of youth-led organisations Chifundo Robert urged the government to reduce domestic borrowing from the current 65 percent of total public debt to below 50 percent within the next three years. Robert said this could be achieved through increased concessional external financing and stronger domestic revenue mobilisation. The consortium also called for the establishment of a publicly accessible real-time debt dashboard to provide citizens with information on loan agreements, including repayment terms, interest rates and intended purposes. It further recommended creating platforms that empower rural communities with financial literacy to improve public understanding of public finance. Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Finance Patrick Liphava said government was making progress in stabilising public debt through reduced borrowing and strengthened fiscal discipline. Liphava said the government was implementing reforms, including the Economic Recovery Plan, to reduce public spending and improve management of national resources. "Government has taken note of the recommendations you have raised and they are in line with the work that is already being done," he said. He commended the youth for organising the symposium, saying their involvement showed growing interest in national issues affecting the country's future. United Nations acting Resident Coordinator Penelope Campbell described the youth-led initiative as a timely platform for discussions on public debt and its implications for future generations. Campbell said youth participation in national conversations was important in building an inclusive and accountable society as Malawi pursued its long-term development goals under Malawi 2063. "The time has come for young people to engage directly and constructively with government institutions, policymakers and other stakeholders on issues that affect their daily lives," she said

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