TRANSFORMING MALAWI’S CIVIL SERVICE FOR THE FUTURE
14.1 Overview
Alignment with MW2063: This chapter aligns with the Human Capital Development
and Governance Enabler of MW2063 by prioritizing efficiency, accountability, and
integrity in public service to drive national transformation and development.
Before sectors like agriculture, tourism, trade, and industry can thrive, Malawi
requires a well-functioning, professional civil service to provide efficient
governance and services. However, the civil service today faces significant
obstacles that limit its effectiveness and erode public trust.
Challenges facing the civil service include:
- Rigid, complacent and dismissive leadership: resisting mindset change, keeping
the civil service stagnant, hindering efficiency, innovation, and service delivery - Resource Constraints: Inadequate tools, funding, and infrastructure hinder
effective service delivery. - Corruption and Nepotism: Mismanagement and favoritism undermine
professionalism and divert resources. - Low Morale: Poor remuneration and lack of career progression drive skilled
professionals out of the civil service. - Inefficient Systems: Centralized processes, outdated workflows, and lack of
technology result in inefficiency. - Lack of Meritocracy: Recruitment and promotions are often politically influenced,
reducing accountability.
Aligned with MW2063’s Human Capital Development Pillar and enablers such
as Technology Adoption and Governance, UTM’s will be prioritizing efficiency,
accountability, and integrity in public service.
14.2 UTM Pledges: Reimagining the Civil Service
14.2.1 Building a Merit-Based Civil Service
Alignment with MW2063: Strengthens Governance and Private Sector Dynamism
by fostering professionalism and eliminating favoritism.
UTM Pledges:
- Attracting Top Talent: Establish a National Talent Recruitment Board to identify,
recruit, and retain the best professionals. - Performance-Based Promotions: Introduce objective evaluations for career
progression based on merit. - Culture of Excellence: Enforce zero tolerance for corruption and promote
professionalism through ethics training.
14.2.2 Systemic Reforms for Efficiency
Alignment with MW2063: Promotes
Governance and Technology Adoption
by digitizing systems and improving
transparency.
UTM Pledges: - Digitization: Implement e-governance
platforms, digitize records, and adopt
centralized data management. - Decentralization: Expand regional hubs
for services such as passport issuance,
driver’s licenses, and district-labeled car
registrations. - Accountability Mechanisms: Strengthen
monitoring and evaluation, and
empower oversight bodies to tackle
inefficiencies.
14.2.3 Attracting and Retaining Talent
Alignment with MW2063: Supports Human Capital Development by investing in
people and providing incentives for retention.
UTM Pledges:
- Competitive Pay: Benchmark salaries to regional standards to retain top talent.
- Housing and Loans: Provide affordable housing and car loans linked to
performance and ethical conduct. - Career Development: Offer scholarships, international exchange opportunities,
and tailored training programs for civil servants.
14.2.4 Strengthening Local Government
Alignment with MW2063: Empowers District Development by decentralizing
decision-making and empowering local councils.
UTM Pledges: - Empowered District Councils: Grant financial and administrative autonomy to
district councils. - District Development Agencies (DDAs): Set up DDAs to manage local projects
aligned with central government goals.
14.2.5 Leadership and Integrity
Alignment with MW2063: Enhances Governance by fostering integrity and
eradicating corruption.
UTM Pledges:
- Civil Service Academy: Establish a National Civil Service Academy focused on
government administration, policymaking, and leadership development, with
structured career progression programs and a Public Sector Innovation Hub to
train civil servants in modern governance, digital transformation, and efficient
service delivery. - Eradicating Nepotism: Enforce anti-nepotism policies in recruitment and
promotions.
14.3 Target Milestones
By 2030, UTM aims to:
- Fully reform and digitize the civil service, creating a professional and wellremunerated workforce by the end of UTM’s first term.
- Achieve 90% digitization of government services.
- Reduce corruption cases in the civil service through enhanced transparency and
effectively prosecute corruption cases in civil service. - Create a high-performing civil service ranked in the top five in Africa.
14.4 Estimated Investments and Funding Mechanisms
Funding Models: - National Budget Allocation: Dedicate 5% of the national budget to civil service
reform. - Development Loans and Grants: Partner with the IMF, World Bank, and African
Development Bank to secure funding for digitization and capacity building. - Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs): Collaborate with private entities to implement
e-governance and infrastructure projects. - Local Revenue Mobilization: Utilize service fees (e.g, passport processing, vehicle
registration) to reinvest in specific civil service improvements.
Conclusion
A modern, citizen-focused civil service is the foundation for achieving Malawi’s
Vision 2063. By aligning with the Human Capital Development and Governance
Enabler of MW2063, UTM envisions a professional, efficient, and integrity-driven
system—a backbone for national progress and a catalyst for transformative
development across all sectors.
Rooted in the SKC legacy of mindset change as well as his meticulous
timekeeping, these reforms will eradicate inefficiency, instill a culture of
accountability, and foster a service-driven government. Under UTM leadership,
Malawi will build a transparent, results-oriented civil service that works on
time, every time, ensuring productivity, discipline, and commitment to national
progress.
Together, we will shape a future-ready civil service that delivers prosperity, equity,
and inclusive progress for every Malawian. This transformation will not only fuel
economic growth and national development but also cement the civil service as
the engine of Malawi’s long-term progress, efficiency, and sustainability