Minister of Industrialization, Business, Trade, and Tourism, Honourable Dr. George Partridge, has called on the Competition and Fair-Trading Commission (CFTC) to ensure timely decision making on complaints and applications made before it so as to enhance effective delivery of its mandate of regulating competition and ensuring consumer welfare in the country.
Speaking during a visit to the CFTC offices in Lilongwe on Tuesday, 13th January, 2026, the Minister emphasised that His Excellency the President, Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika has high expectations for the Ministry to deliver its broader mandate of fostering growth in trade and industry.
“This is a result-oriented administration, and we would like you to working towards achieving the set outputs that will help develop the country. The President came to fix the economy and the country. He came to root out corruption. Therefore, I expect nothing less from you in complementing the attainment of these goals,” said Partridge.
In his presentation, CFTC Chief Executive Officer, Lloyds Vincent Nkhoma, highlighted the Commission’s mandate and functions. He also outlined recent achievements, including the repeal and replacement of the 1998 Competition and Fair-Trading Act (CFTA) and the introduction of an Information Management System for processing of complaints and assessment of mergers and other business conducts.
Nkhoma also highlighted the challenges facing the CFTC, particularly shortages in financial and human resources which affect its capacity to effectively deliver on its mandate.
“The Commission’s staff establishment consists of 59 positions; however, we currently only have 26 employees. The CFTC’s proposed budget for next year can only cover personal emoluments, board expenses, and rentals, leaving a very small amount for operations,” said Nkhoma.
He, however, assured the Minister that despite the highlighted challenges, CFTC strives to work diligently so that businesses and consumer interests are adequately served.
In his remarks, the Ministry’s Principal Secretary, Wiskes Nkombezi pointed out that CFTC has over the year’s been one of the best performing government institutions, and thus encouraged the team to keep up the momentum.
