03/08/2025
Battle of the Blueprints: DPP vs MCP 2025–2030 Manifestoes
As Malawi heads into a decisive 2025 election, two political titans—the DPP and MCP—have placed their manifestoes on the table. One is banking on a comeback with "proven leadership," the other on "steady progress." But what do these blueprints really promise? And more importantly, how do they differ?
Let’s dive in.
Vision & Leadership Philosophy: Legacy vs Renewal
DPP rides on the nostalgia of past performance. Touting a track record of “no one dying of hunger” and macroeconomic stability between 2014 and 2020, their manifesto leans heavily on “A Return to Proven Leadership.” Their core values? Patriotism, Integrity, Hard Work. They aim to make Malawi an “inclusively wealthy and self-reliant industrialised upper-middle-income country” by 2063.
MCP, on the other hand, embraces continuity but with resilience. Under the banner “Taking Our Development Forward,” they frame Chakwera as a steady hand through turbulent storms—Covid-19, Cyclone Freddy, and global shocks. Their guiding mantra? The “Super Hi-5”: Servant Leadership, Uniting Malawians, Prospering Together, Ending Corruption, Rule of Law.
Contrast: DPP positions itself as the “fixers” of a broken Malawi; MCP sells itself as the steady guardians in chaos.
Economic Strategy: Bold Spending vs Conservative Stabilisation
DPP's economy pitch is bold and granular: every constituency will receive K5 billion annually, with K100 million each for youth and women loans, K50 million for sports and arts. They also promise to recruit 229 Executive Directors per constituency. They aim to cut inflation to single digits by 2027, and grow GDP by 6.5% from 2028. There's heavy emphasis on fiscal consolidation, reducing domestic borrowing, and boosting forex reserves through strategic partnerships.
MCP, while also ambitious, focuses on stabilization through reform and innovation. They boast having already created 2.4 million jobs, raised electricity access from 11% to 25%, and disbursed K250 billion through NEEF. They emphasize macroeconomic reform, public service digitization, and deepening economic diplomacy to unlock investment.
Contrast: DPP promises mass decentralised spending; MCP touts already-at-work structured reforms. DPP leans on "pump money into local hands," while MCP banks on "systemic reform and global partnerships."
Agriculture & Food Security: Subsidy Reform vs Mega Farms
DPP wants to reform the AIP to cut waste and inefficiency and promote cotton, soybeans, and wheat for value-addition and exports. Irrigation, structured import substitution, and commercial farming are top priorities.
MCP rides high on establishing mega-farms and extending AIP support to 3.7 million farmers. They focus on improving access to affordable inputs, building fish feed mills, and providing over K12.5 billion in farmer finance.
Contrast: DPP wants to reduce reliance on subsidies; MCP has scaled them. DPP emphasizes modernisation and value chains, while MCP highlights farm-level impact and food security.
Youth, Education & Jobs: Skills vs Structures
DPP envisions transforming every primary school into a secondary school by 2063, while investing in community colleges and AI/digital tech. They champion technical and entrepreneurial training.
MCP showcases achievements: bursaries for 44,604 students, new Schools of Excellence, innovation hubs like UniPod, and digital campuses. Through NEEF and National Youth Service, they claim 275,000 new youth-run businesses.
Contrast: DPP leans on future plans and community-based implementation; MCP highlights tangible outputs and national-scale youth financing schemes.
Infrastructure & Energy: The Legacy vs the Present
DPP claims credit for major roads, community colleges, and MAREP expansion between 2014–2020. They pledge railway investments, industrial parks, and reviving exports.
MCP touts ongoing projects: six-lane highways, railway revival, solar energy expansions, and the Mpatamanga 350MW project. They boast having completed 600 infrastructure projects including stadia, health centres, and bridges.
Contrast: DPP offers a resume; MCP presents a real-time project tracker. DPP is "we did before, we can again"; MCP is "we're doing it now."
Governance & Corruption: Iron Fists vs Institutional Reforms
DPP pledges lean cabinet, a manifesto monitoring unit, public service rationalization, and returning MACRA & MBC to Blantyre. They promise to manage public finances with integrity and promote “One Malawi, One Destiny.”
MCP emphasizes ACB independence, boosted funding, public service promotions, and restoring donor confidence. Chakwera boasts repealing laws that criminalized insults to the presidency and increasing scrutiny of his own office.
Contrast: DPP makes promises of cleaning house with strict austerity; MCP claims to have already reformed key institutions with transparency and rule of law.
Inclusivity & Welfare: Promises vs Track Record
DPP promises inclusive education, support for autistic learners, decent housing, and women in leadership. They envision a unified nation beyond tribe and region.
MCP provides proof: houses for persons with albinism, K209 billion in social cash transfers, faith leader empowerment, and women in key positions across governance and justice sectors.
Contrast: DPP frames inclusivity as a future plan; MCP pitches it as a present reality.
Final Word: A Choice Between Two Gambits
• DPP offers a daring return—a high-stakes bet on experience, decentralised financing, and economic shock therapy.
• MCP offers steady hands steering the ship through storms—with institutional reforms, global diplomacy, and continuity of progress.
As Malawians head to the polls, the question is clear: Do you want a comeback or continuity? Big promises or proven performance?
AN ANALYSIS BY NYASATIMES
