Malawi's parliament has passed the Economics Society of Malawi (Esoma) Bill to formally regulate the country's economists, according to allAfrica.com and Nyasa Times. Finance Minister Joseph Mwanamvekha presented the bill, explaining that it grants the profession legal authority to register and discipline practitioners, similar to the oversight the Law Society of Malawi holds over lawyers. The legislation was passed alongside three other financial measures: the Deposit Insurance Corporation Amendment Bill, the Payment System Amendment Bill, and the Financial Crimes Amendment Bill.
In the mining sector, the Malawian government has dismissed allegations of illegal mining at the Kangankunde Rare Earth project, Business Insider Africa reports. Mining Minister Thoko Tembo assured parliament that all activities by the Australian operating company Lindian Resources comply with current regulations. Tembo clarified that recent material removals from the site were strictly limited to approved scientific testing, as the government seeks to maintain transparency and accountability in the management of mineral deposits.
Update: The government's emergency repatriation programme for citizens fleeing violence in South Africa will officially conclude on August 12, according to Malawi24. The Department of Disaster Management Affairs reported that the initiative has facilitated the return of 56,723 Malawians. The final government-funded buses will depart from diplomatic missions in Johannesburg and Pretoria next Wednesday. Following the closure of the reception centres, future returnees must arrange their own travel, though Malawian diplomatic missions will continue to offer consular support and issue emergency travel documents.