Government Imposes Strict Travel Conditions

Lilongwe, Malawi: Government has again imposed strict travel conditions for civil
servants and all government institutions.

According to a Memo signed by Secretary of Treasury MacDonald Mafuta Mwale, “this is one way Capital Hill can control the drain on foreign exchange reserves following the tough economic climate that has seen inflation rise to 27.0 percent for June 2023 and an acute scarcity of foreign exchange, putting pressure on the exchange rate”.

According to the memo, foreign travel by Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) as well as state-owned enterprises (SOEs) is restricted effective August 15, 2023.

“External travel beginning at cabinet level should be restricted to extremely essential trips approved by the President upon provision of proof of funding and availability of resources from the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs,” Mwale said

According to the Memo, all principal secretaries and directors from Government MDAs, CEOs, Director Generals, and all Senior Management of SOEs shall seek approval for any external travel from the Secretary to the President and Cabinet on condition that the Secretary to the Treasury provides proof of funding and availability of resources.

The memo further states that the number and composition of a delegation travelling outside the country shall be approved by the Secretary to the President and Cabinet.

According to the Memo, where external travel is donor-funded, there shall be no Government financial outlay in the form of top-up allowances towards such travel.

It says Controlling Officers shall approve external travel only after consulting Treasury on the availability of resources, proof of funding, and budget allocation.