President Arthur Peter Mutharika has vowed to end delays and disorder in Malawi’s passport system, announcing plans to resume local printing in Blantyre, Mzuzu, and Mangochi by the end of the financial year. Speaking during his State of the Nation Address at the opening of Parliament, he said the government will deploy a new passport production machine capable of printing 500 passports daily to reduce long queues and public frustration.
His remarks follow years of disruption since the previous administration canceled a contract with UAE-based TechnoBrain Global FZE in December 2021 and awarded a new 29.9 million dollar deal to India’s Madras Security Printers. The switch has been marred by delays and controversy. Madras Security Printers has faced scrutiny in Sri Lanka, Kenya, and South Sudan over alleged involvement in counterfeit security products and irregular contracts.
Mutharika pledged stronger oversight, decentralization of services, and restored credibility in the Immigration Department. “The people of Malawi deserve a system that works,” he said, promising swift action to fix the longstanding passport crisis.
His remarks follow years of disruption since the previous administration canceled a contract with UAE-based TechnoBrain Global FZE in December 2021 and awarded a new 29.9 million dollar deal to India’s Madras Security Printers. The switch has been marred by delays and controversy. Madras Security Printers has faced scrutiny in Sri Lanka, Kenya, and South Sudan over alleged involvement in counterfeit security products and irregular contracts.
Mutharika pledged stronger oversight, decentralization of services, and restored credibility in the Immigration Department. “The people of Malawi deserve a system that works,” he said, promising swift action to fix the longstanding passport crisis.
