Reserve Bank of Malawi threatens exporters with legal action

Malawi’s central bank is done asking, exporters must send earnings home or face court.

Final warning and deadline

• The Reserve Bank of Malawi issued a last call to exporters.
• Threatened court action if money stays abroad past the deadline.
• Set compliance cutoff at 31 January 2026.

Legal rules and penalties

• Henry Mathanga signed the notice as Deputy Governor.
• Pointed to the Foreign Exchange Act of 2025.
• Cited Repatriation of Export Proceeds Directive of 2025.
• Requires earnings return within 120 days.

Noncompliant exporters snapshot

• Reserve Bank of Malawi named 25 exporters.
• Listed unpaid and unreconciled balances.
• Total exposure sits near US$16.56 million.
• Presumes receipt unless firms prove otherwise.