08/03/2026
Overtaxing a poor system is not the solution to Malawi’s financial problems. It can never be.
We already have poor people who cannot afford to buy even very cheap food or products because they are overtaxed, and now there are additional taxes being added on top.
Taxes are essential for a country’s development, yes, but overtaxing is killing the economy. People are already struggling to find money, and when they do, they have to struggle again thinking how to use it. What is that?
In a business context, if your environment, customers, or the public are well-off, you can sell high-quality products at higher prices, and they will not complain. But if your customers are poor, you have to sell what they can afford, and life goes on.
There are so many poor services in Malawi, yet we are being overtaxed. It is like paying a higher price but getting a low-quality product. Nothing can be done without paying an extra amount or without a huge connection fee, and still we are paying heavy taxes in the name of development.
People are using less than 10% of their money, and the rest goes to the government. What are you doing with the money? If it is for the national budget, then why are we still borrowing so much?
The system is broken. The people are broke. Two broken things cannot fix each other. Find a better plan, a long-term plan in fact. Not only theoretical, but practical too. Do businesses, set up industries, companies, and shops and earn revenue. Not daylight robbery.
Photo Credit: Skip Russell