The Competition and Fair Trading Commission (CFTC) has recently trained about 130 Chipiku Managers across the country, about 70 in the Central Region, over 50 in the Northern Region and an additional 50 expected to be trained over the week weekend in Blantyre.
The trainings which were requested by the chain supermarket, mainly focused on consumer protection and competition issues.
Speaking during one of the trainings at Bridge View Hotel in Lilongwe on 26th April, 2025, CFTC Chief Executive Officer, Lloyds Vincent Nkhoma said Chipiku is one of the traders with the largest number of shops across the country.
“Chipiku attracts a lot of attention because they are big. We want Chipiku to see us as a partner and not as adversary. CFTC is an enforcer and where things go wrong or where we receive a complaint there are no shortcuts”, said Nkhoma, thanking the chain supermarket for requesting for the trainings.
He also encouraged Chipiku to have a working relationship with the Commission and contact it directly where they think there are issues.
Speaking during the same function, Chipiku General Manager, Antony Smith committed to complying with consumer protection and competition laws.
“These trainings are important to us as Chipiku and specifically to managers. We want our managers and of course all our personnel to look at customers as their relatives and friends when it comes to handling complaints. We are aware that without customers we do not exist. CFTC and us are not adversaries because we exist for the same reason, serving customers and consumers” said Smith.
Recently, Competition and Fair Trading Regulations were gazetted which provide for training and advisory, among others, to enterprises. In the wake of the gazetting, apart from training officials from Chipiku, the Commission has trained officials from Illovo Malawi.
