Malawi has become the first African nation to support a precautionary pause on deep-sea mining, according to a May 21 statement from the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition. Minister of Foreign Affairs George Chaponda announced the decision, noting that despite being a landlocked country, Malawi views ocean protection as a shared global priority. The move adds Malawi to a growing list of 41 countries calling for a halt to the practice until its environmental and socio-economic risks are fully understood through scientific research.
In domestic environmental regulation, the Malawi Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) has lifted a five-month stop order against ethanol distiller Press Cane Limited, Nyasa Times reports. A May 18 directive from MEPA Director General Wilfred Kadewa confirmed the company has successfully rehabilitated its effluent ponds and installed a new fertiliser plant to achieve zero effluent discharge. As part of the resolution, Press Cane also provided K895 million to the Chikwawa District Council to compensate communities affected by previous effluent spillages.
Malawi is also gaining international recognition for its environmental governance. On May 21, the Infrastructure Transparency Initiative (CoST) highlighted Malawi's progress in tracking environmental funding during Open Gov Week. By implementing the OC4IDS climate finance module, the government has created a system that allows citizens to monitor how climate action funds are distributed and utilised. CoST technical director Evelyn Hernandez commended the initiative for reducing the risk of corruption and ensuring climate funds reach their intended targets.
Meanwhile, the lingering effects of extreme weather continue to impact agricultural stability. An AGRA Food Security Monitor report published on May 20 indicates that while the recent harvest has improved food access in northern and central Malawi, southern regions remain severely stressed, according to Ratin. The report attributes the ongoing food insecurity in the south to consecutive climate shocks and localised flooding that affected over 300,000 people, compounded by sharp increases in global fuel and fertiliser costs.