News

Malawi’s Fuel Crisis – a First-Hand Reflection

09 Oct 2026 • Malawi’s ongoing fuel crisis, driven by foreign currency shortages and reliance on imports, is disrupting transport, businesses and daily life. Rising fuel prices, power outages and scarce cooking gas worsen economic pressures.

International Development Expert Highlights Scotland-Malawi Relationship as a Model Worth Protecting

02 Oct 2026 • Scotland’s civic society links, alongside sustained government funding have been highlighted by a leading authority on International Development Strategy & Finance as a “model worth Scotland protecting.”

Civil Society links with Malawi - Constituency Mapping: Holyrood

28 Sept 2026 • A compendium of past & present people-to-people links between Scotland & Malawi across Holyrood Regions & Constituencies

From Glasgow to Malawi: Former Council Director tells the Story of 20 Years of Practical Help

24 Sept 2026 • A former Glasgow City Council director has published a memoir of the people and projects that linked Glasgow with Malawi for more than two decades.

Report highlights impact of UK Aid on lives in Malawi & warns of cuts delaying much-needed economic change

18 Sept 2026 • Center for Global Development report warns that the UK Government’s cuts risk undermining urgently needed economic progress for Malawi.

New UK Gov International Development Minister Brings NGO Experience

24 Jul 2026 • An MP who held a senior role in the charity sector before joining politics has been made the UK Government's International Development Minister.

British Government to Decimate its Aid to Malawi

16 Jul 2026 • The UK Government has announced plans to cut its international development budget to Malawi for 2026 – 27 by 60% and, decreasing annually, by 90% for 2028 – 29, compared to its 2025 – 26 funding.

British High Commissioner to Malawi Champions Collaborative Approach

10 Jul 2026 • The SMP welcomed BHC Leigh Stubblefield for her first meeting with Trustees and Members, discussing key Scotland–Malawi priorities and reaffirming a shared commitment to open dialogue and collaboration with civil society.

Zero cases of Ebola in Malawi But vigilance & Preparedness

12 Jun 2026 • There are no active cases of Ebola in Malawi, but with over 1,200 cases in nearby DRC and Uganda, the Malawian authorities are on high alert and are following World Health Organisation (WHO) protocols.

Commonwealth Games-MW July 2026

10 Jun 2026 • With the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games on the horizon, the Scotland Malawi Partnership (SMP) is excited to celebrate and support Team Malawi as athletes prepare to compete on the international stage.

New Funding Opportunity – Global Solidarity Fund Launched

05 Jun 2026 • The SG’s new Global Solidarity Fund has been launched, with applications now open for small Scottish-based organisations, community groups and diaspora-led initiatives involved in international development and global citizenship work.

Jack McConnell to advise UK Gov on Soft Power

22 May 2026 • The UK Government announced on Monday that Lord McConnell is to provide advice personally to the Secretary of State on how to harness soft power assets and support the UK’s major events sector.

Scottish Parliament Elected

22 May 2026 • SMP committed to working across Scottish Parliament and welcomes Simita Kumar as Minister for Equalities and International Development.

A tribute to Dr Jim Aitken

23 Apr 2026 • We are deeply saddened to share the news that Dr Jim Aitken passed away in Lilongwe on Sunday, 19 April 2026, one day short of his 89th birthday.

UK Bilateral Aid Cuts the most drastic of any G7 country

20 Mar 2026 • The UK Government has announced that direct bilateral aid to UK partner countries will be reduced.

Malawi Visa issue resolved for British Passport Holders

10 Mar 2026 • Following action by the Government of Malawi, the issue of travellers (including UK passport-holders) who did not have a visa in advance being denied passage to Malawi has been resolved.

Malawi’s President Agrees to be SMP’s Honorary Co-Patron

04 Mar 2026 • Malawi’s President, His Excellency Professor Peter Arthur Mutharika has accepted the invitation to be the Scotland Malawi Partnership’s Honorary Co-Patron.

Visas for Malawi - Important Update

20 Feb 2026 • UK passport holders without visas in advance being denied travel. At Saturday 21 February, Lufthansa is denying travel from Edinburgh Airport to Malawi to UK passport holders who have not obtained a Malawi visa in advance.