Chakwera Clarifies K500,000 Newborn Pledge: Funds Accessible at 18
Published on July 21, 2025 at 3:33 PM by Edgar Naitha
President Lazarus Chakwera has clarified the Malawi Congress Party’s (MCP) manifesto promise to allocate K500,000 for every newborn, stating that the funds will only be accessible once the child reaches 18 years of age.
Speaking at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe during the endorsement of the National Youth Manifesto, an event organised by the Youth Decide Campaign, Chakwera emphasized that the initiative is designed to eradicate poverty, not just reduce it.
He shared that a former president commended the plan, calling it a true step toward poverty eradication. “This will be the first generation of millionaires across the country.
Imagine if we had done this 20 years ago — we would already see the results today,” Chakwera remarked.
He acknowledged that while some people may not live to witness the full impact, the long-term transformation will be profound and far-reaching.
