Budget Oversight Dialogue: AFIDEP Calls for Focus on Implementation Gaps

By Peter Magawa…….

The African Institute for Development Policy has called for greater attention to gaps in the implementation of Malawi’s national budget, warning that poor execution continues to undermine development outcomes.

Speaking during a national budget oversight dialogue in Lilongwe, AFIDEP Country Director Dr Eliya Zulu said much of the national focus remains on budget presentation rather than delivery.

Zulu noted that delays in fund disbursement, revenue shortfalls, and shifting government priorities often disrupt planned activities, affecting key sectors and slowing economic progress.

“These challenges force the government to prioritize fixed expenditures such as salaries and debt servicing, leaving development projects underfunded,” he said.

He stressed that without consistent and timely implementation, even well-designed budgets fail to deliver meaningful results for citizens.

Zulu further emphasized the need for improved coordination between institutions responsible for budget execution, monitoring, and reporting.

Other stakeholders at the dialogue echoed similar concerns, calling for stronger oversight mechanisms and increased transparency.

Chairperson of the Parliamentary Budget Committee, Sosten Gwengwe, said while the Public Finance Management Act provides a framework for accountability, its full implementation remains a challenge.

Meanwhile, Golden Matonga highlighted the media’s responsibility to go beyond reporting figures and instead track how public resources are used and their impact on communities.

Speaker of Parliament Sameer Suleman urged parliamentary committees to intensify scrutiny of public spending and ensure recommendations are acted upon.

The dialogue concluded with renewed calls for stronger collaboration among policymakers, researchers, and the media to ensure that the national budget translates into tangible development outcomes.