LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-President Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera on Friday, August 1, 2025 graced Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) 25 years anniversary celebrations at Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in the capital Lilongwe.
The event seeks to recognize the invaluable contribution of taxpayers to the country’s development over the past 25 years and is being held under the theme: “My Tax, Our Development, Our Country: Honouring the past, shaping the future.”
Established in 1998, MRA is a government agency responsible for assessing, collecting, and accounting for tax revenue.
The institution was established to improve tax collection and management.
The revenue collected by the MRA is crucial for funding various government projects and services, including infrastructure development, social services, and national security.
Accompanied by First Lady Madam Monica Chakwera, the Malawi leader was welcomed on arrival by several top government and MRA officials.
BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-Castel Malawi, the country’s leading spirit and beer producer, has issued a strong warning to customers against purchasing its products without tax stamps and urged vigilance to help combat counterfeit goods.
The company called on consumers to report any suspicious products bearing the Castel name but lacking digital tax stamps to the nearest Castel distribution representative nationwide.
In a statement issued on Monday, July 21, 2025, Castel Malawi Managing Director Thomas Reynaud highlighted the health risks posed by counterfeit products and emphasized the need for consumer awareness.
“Castel Malawi Limited urges all customers to remain highly vigilant and ensure that all spirits purchased are genuine and fully compliant with legal standards,” Reynaud said. “Authentic Castel spirits carry tax stamps, date stamps, and batch numbers, which confirm their legitimacy and regulatory compliance.”
He further cautioned, “Do not purchase or stock any spirits that lack proper tax stamps, date stamps, and batch numbers.
“We sincerely thank you for your continued trust and partnership. Together, we can ensure a safe and compliant market for all consumers.”
Castel Malawi, which manufactures an extensive range of beers and spirits including national favorites like Castel Beer and Kuche Kuche, and spirits such as Malawi Gin, Malawi Vodka, and Premier Brandy, has become the first local company to publicly embrace the digital tax stamp initiative introduced by the Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) in 2024 to curb illicit products.
MRA’s digital tax stamp solution, dubbed Kalondola, was rolled out in two phases.
Phase One, which began in May 2024, covers tobacco cigarettes and alcoholic beverages such as beer, wine, spirits, whisky, and opaque beer, as well as non-alcoholic drinks.
Phase Two, which started in July 2024, extended the requirement to bottled water, carbonated soft drinks, drinks made from cereals, energy drinks, fermented sweet tea, lotions, and glycerine.
According to MRA, Kalondola was introduced following amendments to the Customs & Excise Act and is implemented by SICPA Malawi, which won the contract after a competitive procurement process in 2023.
The solution is internationally recognized for improving tax compliance, enhancing consumer protection, and promoting fairness in the industry.
Rosemary Mkandawire, Deputy Commissioner Operations at the MRA, described the initiative as a significant step forward in combating counterfeit goods.
“Kalondola represents a major milestone in our fight against illicit trade and counterfeit goods in Malawi. By ensuring that only legitimate and compliant products reach consumers, we are protecting public health, securing government revenue, and creating a level playing field for local businesses,” Mkandawire said.
“The success of this initiative reflects the commitment of our partners, including manufacturers, to uphold the highest standards of compliance and consumer safety.”
Since 2024, SICPA Malawi has trained MRA officers nationwide through theoretical and practical sessions, including field visits to various border posts to assess adherence to excise tax stamp regulations among customs officials and importers.
BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA), in collaboration with SICPA Malawi, conducted a high-impact technical training session focused on evaluating the fiscal outcomes of the Kalondola Tax Stamp system.
Held at the Malawi Sun Hotel in Blantyre, the session brought together key personnel from the Domestic Taxes Division, Customs Division, Enterprise-Wide Risk Management Division, and the Policy, Planning and Research Division, reflecting MRA’s integrated and strategic approach to revenue mobilization.
The training, facilitated by SICPA Malawi and led by Mr. Jerome Duperrut, a renowned technical expert from SICPA, marked another milestone in the long-standing partnership between MRA and SICPA.
It focused on enhancing MRA staff’s analytical capabilities through practical tools and methodologies to measure the impact of tax stamps on revenue collection and compliance.
Mussa Chayenda, Chief Finance Manager at SICPA Malawi, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to building long-term, locally anchored technical capacity within MRA.
“Our partnership with MRA is not just about system deployment; it’s about sustainable knowledge transfer. By equipping MRA officers with advanced analytical tools and data-driven frameworks, we are ensuring that local teams have the autonomy and expertise to evaluate performance, identify compliance trends, and continuously optimize enforcement strategies,” said Mr. Chayenda.
A key highlight of the session was the presentation of a case study showing a 77.59% increase in revenue from beer products—from MK12.3 billion to MK21.9 billion—between 2021 and 2023, following the implementation of tax stamps.
This outcome, derived from actual MRA data, demonstrates the effectiveness of the Kalondola system in combating illicit trade, improving tax compliance, and enhancing fiscal transparency.
Jerome Duperrut guided participants through a range of analytical techniques, from trend analysis to anomaly detection, enabling staff to assess seasonal and macroeconomic factors affecting revenue streams.
He emphasized the importance of data literacy and real-time decision-making in fiscal policy planning and compliance enforcement.
The initiative directly supports MRA’s ambitious revenue target of MK4.3 trillion for the 2025/26 financial year.
Deputy Commissioner for Systems and Business Analysis, Kondwani Sauti-Phiri, reiterated the significance of collaboration in achieving this goal:
“Strategic tools like tax stamps are vital to our compliance framework, but equally important is the knowledge and capacity to interpret their impact. We are grateful to SICPA Malawi for their technical support, data-sharing, and commitment to institutional development.”
The session underscored SICPA Malawi’s integral role as a local partnern in implementation of the Kalondola system but also in the continuous training and support of MRA’s personnel.
Pre-rollout market intelligence, shared by SICPA Malawi, has further strengthened MRA’s ability to track fiscal outcomes and refine policy.
In closing remarks, Miriam Mhango from MRA’s Policy, Planning and Research Division thanked SICPA for their consistent partnership and reaffirmed MRA’s intent to deepen technical cooperation in the future.
All participants received certificates of attendance in recognition of their active engagement and contributions to the session.
This training underscores the strong collaboration between MRA and SICPA, rooted in mutual goals of efficiency, transparency, and long-term capacity development to support Malawi’s revenue strategy.
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) has intercepted MK85 million worth of smuggled goods in Lilongwe, marking a major breakthrough in enforcing the Kalondola Digital Tax Stamp system.
Acting on a tip from a patriotic citizen, MRA and police raided a warehouse in Area 4, Lilongwe, where illicit goods – including body care products, diapers, and other taxable items – were being offloaded without proper customs clearance.
Crackdown on Tax Evasion
To strengthen compliance, MRA has ramped up spot checks at retail shops, wholesalers, and liquor stores, following a directive from Finance Minister Simplex Chithyola Banda in his mid-year budget review.
While adherence to the tax stamp system is improving, some importers and manufacturers continue to evade regulations by failing to affix the required stamps on excisable products.
Smuggling Hurts National Development
Grace Chilima, Deputy Manager of MRA’s FAST Centre, stressed the impact of tax evasion and said, “Had these goods reached the market undetected, Malawi would have lost revenue crucial for roads, schools, hospitals, and civil servant salaries.”
She urged the public to remain vigilant and report illegal trade, warning that smuggling directly undermines national progress.
MRA has vowed to eliminate tax evasion. Kalondola Project Manager Steven Kuntembwe emphasized that spot checks will continue to enforce tax stamp laws and penalize offenders.
“Failure to affix or activate tax stamps, as well as trading in unstamped excisable products, will result in penalties,” Kuntembwe warned.
He urged businesses to comply, noting that enforcement is about ensuring fairness in the marketplace.
Digital Tax Stamps: A Revenue Game Changer
The Kalondola tax stamp system, introduced after amendments to the Customs & Excise Act, now covers a range of excisable products beyond cigarettes, including alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, bottled water, and personal care items.
The system, implemented by SICPA Malawi after a competitive procurement process in 2023, is globally recognized for improving tax compliance, consumer protection, and industry fairness.
By leveraging cutting-edge fiscal technology, SICPA Malawi is helping the country to foster a transparent business environment that attracts investment and funds social services like healthcare, education, and infrastructure.
In 2019, Tanzania rolled out the Electronic Tax Stamp Management System (ETSMS), a key and most robust system supporting the discovery of smuggled or illicitly traded products in the market, heralding an end to the previous tax administration solution.
ETMS is cited by the International Monetary Fund as a measure increasing tax collection in Tanzania.
High-Tech Enforcement
MRA officers have been trained to monitor compliance using advanced tools like the Horizon EVO Web Application and the Kalondola365 mobile app provided by SICPA Malawi.
As tax enforcement tightens, MRA urges businesses to embrace compliance – not just to avoid penalties but to support Malawi’s long-term economic growth under the Malawi 2063 Agenda.
BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-One of the country’s a prominent businesswoman and philanthropist Triephornia Mpinganjira has disputed claims on tax invasion allegations.
Mpinganjira argues that her company, Diplomats Car Hire complies with Malawi’s tax laws as a law abiding firm.
Responding to reporters Njuli market in Chiradzulu on Thursday, January 2, 2024 during the sideline of MK20 MILLION YOTUKULIRA MA BIZINEZI A AMAYI MMISIKA YAKUMIDZI” Project, Mpinganjira expressed surprise on Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) approach her company on matters.
She hinted that her company has always been compliant with tax regulations and has never had any issues with the MRA.
Mpinganjira who exuded confidence, claimed she was caught off guard by the rumours.
She insisted that her luxury vehicles, which are transported by road, could not possibly bypass duty payments at the border.
Mpinganjira assured that the MRA had conducted a search and found that all 120 vehicles owned by Diplomats Car Hire were duty-paid.
She emphasized that the company has always been compliant with tax regulations and has never had any issues with the MRA.
“MRA came, they took our accounts documents, this is the usual thing they do that now and then.
“So to me, it’s not an issue because I feel good. After all, I pay taxes. I pay taxes in every business that I do,” said Mpinganjira.
She added, “As far as I know, Diplomats Car Hire does not have any car that is not duty-paid, not from yesterday, not from a month ago, but from a long time ago.”
The founder of Diplomats Car Hire therefore expressed confidence in the company’s operations.
He therefore eassured the public that all vehicles were acquired through legitimate means and have been properly registered and taxed.
The response comes barely weeks after social media was awash with allegations that Mpinganjira Company Diplomats Car Hire prevented MRA from investigating the firm on tax evasion.
BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-Many governments including Malawi are seeking to drastically reduce illicit trade practices such as under-declaration, tax evasion, smuggling, counterfeiting, and the distribution of unauthorized goods to safeguard tax revenues and protect consumers.
An enhanced tax stamp management system combines physical security features with an integrated digital traceability platform.
This platform enables governments to monitor the production, import, export, and distribution of products subject to excise duty (e.g., tobacco, spirits, various alcohols, and sometimes soft drinks or sensitive products such as agricultural fertilizers) on a national scale.
In a bid to introduce digital tax stamps, Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) launched a Request for Proposals (RFP) in March 2022, following International Bidding Procedures to procure a solution aimed at enhancing its tax collections.
Digital Tax Stamps help good smuggling
Ahead of the RFP, SICPA demonstrated its solution in Malawi in August 2021, with site visits organized to Tanzania and Uganda for a team from Domestic Taxes Division under MRA, showcasing its successful implementation in the region.
SICPA officially submitted its bid on March 29, 2022. To ensure a thorough evaluation, Government-to-Government (G2G) due diligence visits were conducted in May 2022 to Kenya and Morocco, where similar systems were assessed.
More than 180 states worldwide have placed their trust in SICPA’s platform for sovereignty.
Created in 1927, SICPA has 13 production sites and over 3.000 employees on 5 continents, including Africa. In Malawi, local staff work from offices in Lilongwe, Blantyre, and Mzizi.
Today, more than 15 industries rely on SICPA’s products and brand protection solutions, including pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, agrochemicals, seeds, luxury goods, and consumer and industrial products, with billions of products marked per year worldwide.
The journey between MRA and SICPA concluded successfully in September 2023, with the formal signing of the current contract.
During the 2024-25 Mid-Year Budget Review, Finance Minister Simplex Chithyola described Digital Tax Stamps as a “critical measure”.
This system strengthens Malawi’s revenue collection framework by ensuring products in the market are legitimate, tax-compliant, and businesses contribute their fair share to government revenue,” said Chithyola.
The Minister added, “It directly tackles challenges of tax evasion and discourages smuggling by enabling the identification of non-compliant goods.”
Kondwani Sauti-Phiri, MRA’s Deputy Commissioner for Domestic Taxes, revealed that manufacturers and importers have embraced the system.
This is evidenced by the ever-growing number of stamps ordered by manufacturers and importers, as well as new registrations for the system by these stakeholders.
“We’ve engaged extensively with stakeholders, including manufacturers, wholesalers, and cross-border traders, to ensure smooth adoption of the excise tax stamp system,” said Sauti-Phiri.
He emphasized that the system not only enhances tax compliance but also protects local industries from unfair competition caused by smuggling, counterfeit goods, and illicit trade.
Sauti-Phiri further explained that the system is designed to protect the public from consuming hazardous products.
While tax stamps have been applied to cigarettes for over a decade, their scope now includes a broader range of excisable products such as alcoholic beverages, including beer, wines, spirits, whiskies, and opaque beer; non-alcoholic beverages, such as bottled water, carbonated soft drinks, energy drinks, fermented tea, and Mahewu; as well as personal care products like lotion and glycerine.
The implementation of Digital Tax Stamps in Malawi signifies a transformative advancement in tax administration.
By enhancing tax compliance, safeguarding government revenue, and protecting consumers from illicit goods, this initiative demonstrates MRA’s commitment to a robust and transparent tax system.
BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-The Malawi Government on Tuesday launched the COMESA Electronic Certificate of Origin(e-CO),a digital platform aimed at streamlining trade processes in the country.
The initiative is part of the country’s efforts to facilitate trade and improve the business environment.
Speaking at the launch in Blantyre, Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Trade and Industry Christina Zakeyo, emphasized the importance of the digital platform in reducing delays and increasing efficiency in trade processes.
Said Zakeyo:”With this electronic certificate, traders can now process their documentation online, eliminating the need for manual processing and reducing the risk of fraud.”
She said the e-CO is a digital document that certifies the origin of goods being exported or imported.
“This platform is expected to benefit the private sector by reducing the time and cost associated with manual processing,” added the PS.
On his part, Executive Director for Corporate Services at the Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) Douglas Katchomoza said the e-CO is expected to enhance revenue collection and reduce origin fraud.
According to Katchomoza, the new system will simplify customs procedures and facilitate trade.
He said:”Origin fraud occurs when a product or consignment is falsely claimed to originate from a beneficiary company within the COMESA region, resulting in lost revenue.
“The e-CO will enable easier verification of the actual origin of goods, eliminating fraud and benefiting the MRA.
“The new system will also expedite customs clearance, allowing importers to quickly verify the authenticity of certificates.
“This will reduce delays and increase confidence among importers.”
Malawi is the second country in the COMESA region to implement the e-CO system, after Eswatini.
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) has successfully concluded an intensive nationwide training program designed to boost its capacity to combat tax evasion, curb smuggling, combat illicit trading thereby promoting tax compliance using Digital Tax Stamp system.
The training, conducted from 14th November to 6th December, 2024, was facilitated by SICPA, a global leader in secure tax stamp technologies and supply chain monitoring solutions.
SICPA, contracted by the MRA in September 2023 through a competitive procurement process, specializes in implementing digital and paper-based fiscal marking systems for excise product regulation.
The Digital Tax Stamp system, praised by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for its role in transforming tax collection in Tanzania and endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a benchmark fiscal technology, was at the heart of the training.
The program provided MRA officers with critical skills to monitor and enforce compliance of digital tax stamps using cutting-edge tools, including the Horizon EVO Web Application and the Kalondola365 mobile app.
These technologies allow real-time tracking and compliance monitoring of tax stamps on excisable goods.
About 60 participants engaged in both theoretical and practical sessions, including field visits to Mchinji Customs Border, where they evaluated adherence to excise tax stamp regulations among Customs border officials and importers.
These hands-on exercises aimed to address real-world challenges and ensure effective enforcement. During the sessions, officers were also trained to orient key stakeholders – manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers – on the correct use of tax stamps to enhance compliance across supply chains.
Speaking on the Digital Tax stamps initiative, Finance Minister Simplex Chithyola described Digital Tax Stamps as a “critical measure” during the 2024-25 Mid-Year Budget Review.
“This system strengthens Malawi’s revenue collection framework by ensuring products in the market are legitimate, tax-compliant, and businesses contribute their fair share to government revenue,” said Chithyola.
The Minister added, “It directly tackles challenges of tax evasion and discourages smuggling by enabling the identification of non-compliant goods.”
Kondwani Sauti-Phiri, MRA’s Deputy Commissioner for Domestic Taxes, revealed that manufacturers and importers have embraced the system.
This is evidenced by the ever growing number of stamps ordered by manufacturers and importers as well as new registrations for the system by the same stakeholders.
“We’ve engaged extensively with stakeholders, including manufacturers, wholesalers, and cross-border traders, to ensure smooth adoption of the excise tax stamp system,” said Sauti-Phiri.
He emphasized that the system not only enhances tax compliance but also protects local industries from unfair competition caused by smuggling, counterfeit goods, illicit trade. Sauti – Phiri further narrated that the system is there to protect the public from consumption of hazardous products.
While tax stamps have been applied to cigarettes for over a decade, their scope now includes a broader range of excisable products such as alcoholic beverages, including beer, wines, spirits, whiskies, and opaque beer; non-alcoholic beverages, such as bottled water, carbonated soft drinks, energy drinks, fermented tea, and Mahewu; as well as personal care products like lotion and glycerine.
The MRA’s adoption of digital tax stamps reflects a growing commitment to leveraging technology to for efficient and effective tax administration.
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The implementation of Electronic Excise Tax Stamps in the 2024-2025 Mid-Year Budget Review is said to be a positive step towards enhanced revenue collection in Malawi.
In his 2024-25 Mid-Year Budget Review Statement, Malawi’s Finance Minister Simplex Chithyola unveiled a critical measure aimed at strengthening the country’s revenue collection system: the introduction of electronic excise tax stamps.
According to the Minister, the initiative targets specific excisable goods, including bottled water, alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, and soft drinks, marking a significant shift in combating tax evasion and smuggling.
“Electronic tax stamps are secure digital markers affixed to goods to verify their authenticity and confirm that the necessary excise duties have been paid.
“This system ensures that products circulating in the market are legal, compliant with tax regulations, and contribute their share to government revenues,” says the Minister.
Chithyola adds, “The measure serves multiple purposes. First, it addresses revenue losses due to tax evasion, which has long been a challenge in the excise goods sector. Second, it discourages the smuggling of taxable goods by making it easier to identify products that have not met legal compliance.”
The statement appeals, “The Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) has called on all traders to register immediately. Non-compliance will result in the confiscation of goods, signaling the government’s firm stance on enforcement.
“The introduction of electronic tax stamps aligns with broader fiscal reforms aimed at improving revenue collection and transparency. By curbing leakages and increasing accountability, this initiative is expected to bolster fiscal consolidation efforts, providing much-needed resources for the government to invest in critical sectors like health, education, and infrastructure.”
He added, “As Malawi embraces this measure, the successful implementation of electronic tax stamps will require strong collaboration between the government, businesses, and enforcement agencies to ensure compliance and support economic recovery.
“This step reinforces Malawi’s commitment to innovative, accountable governance in managing public resources.”
In response to the implementation of digital tax stamps in the budget, MRA Head of Corporate Affairs Steve Kapoloma said, “The Malawi Revenue Authority has actively engaged a wide range of stakeholders, including manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers, cross-border traders, and importers, regarding the excise tax stamp system both before and during its initial implementation phase. Months ago, the Authority conducted meetings in Blantyre and Lilongwe with cross-border businesswomen.
“During these engagements, the Authority and concerned stakeholders agreed on a way forward, and the Authority is currently addressing all issues noted during the initial phase before full rollout. It is important to clarify that excise tax stamps are not additional taxes but rather a tool to identify products on which excise tax has been paid.”
Kapoloma adds, “For the record, the implementation of excise tax stamps was extended following the amendment of the Customs and Excise Act of 2021.
“This amendment expanded the requirement for excise tax stamps under Section 77C to include other specified excisable products beyond tobacco cigarettes.”
Kapoloma said the implementation of the initiative in the budget has numerous advantages, including protecting local and legitimate businesses, “Safeguarding them from unfair competition due to illicit trading activities such as smuggling and counterfeiting.”
He explains, “The initiative will also enable controlling consumption: reducing the consumption of harmful, unbranded, and counterfeit products whose sources and quality cannot be verified.
“Promoting voluntary tax compliance: encouraging compliance among manufacturers, importers, and distributors through the availability of production and importation data.”
He added, “The initiative will be optimizing excise tax collection: enhancing tax collection for the improved delivery of social services.”
Excise tax stamps have been applicable on cigarettes for over 10 years in Malawi.
The stamps have just been extended to a few excisable products such as alcoholic beverages (beer, wines, spirits, whiskies, and opaque beer) and non-alcoholic beverages (bottled water, energy drinks, carbonated soft drinks, fermented sweet tea, drinks made from cereals like Mahewu, non-alcoholic beer), as well as lotion and glycerine.
BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-In an effort to ensure the smooth implementation of digital tax stamps, the Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) and the Small Scale Cross-Border Association (SSCA) have reached an agreement to jointly tackle the smuggling of goods and services.
This collaboration is intended to enhance the success of the digital tax stamp initiative in Malawi.
The agreement was formalized during a joint meeting held on October 2, 2024, between representatives from the Ministry of Finance, MRA, and SSCA.
A press statement signed by Greclum Kandio (Ministry of Finance), Kondwani Sauti-Phiri (MRA), and Richard Kampanje (SSCA) outlined the resolutions aimed at addressing challenges in the implementation of tax stamps.
The statement emphasized that smuggling is a significant issue affecting small businesses, tax revenue, and public health.
Consequently, all parties have committed to collaborate in combating smuggling and tax evasion.
It was agreed that small-scale importers will be allowed to continue importing and supplying specified excisable products without tax stamps, provided they produce valid customs clearance documents to buyers.
This arrangement will remain in place until the MRA resolves any remaining administrative challenges.
Furthermore, the SSCA will provide a list of their clients, including the business name, buyer’s name, and location, as soon as possible.
The Ministry of Finance, through either the Minister or the Secretary to the Treasury, will organize a meeting with SSCA leaders, in conjunction with the Ministry of Trade, to further discuss these matters.
This agreement will remain effective until that meeting is held.
The MRA continues to intensify efforts to curb rampant smuggling in Malawi by introducing digital tax stamps as a compliance tool.
The aim is to ensure that imported and locally manufactured goods pass through official channels and that taxes are paid before these goods enter the market.
A tax stamp, whether physical or digital, is affixed to a product to indicate that excise tax has been paid, forming part of a broader effort to improve compliance and secure tax revenue.
Digital tax stamps are equipped with a range of security features, such as color-shifting inks, microprinting, and unique serial numbers or QR codes.
These features not only make tax stamps resistant to counterfeiting and tampering but also enable authorities to trace products throughout the supply chain, ensuring greater transparency and accountability for excisable goods.
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