CDEDI Demands Recovery of Billions Lost in Alleged Salima Sugar Scandal
Published on November 17, 2025 at 3:00 PM by Edgar Naitha
The Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) has urged the government to recover billions of kwacha allegedly lost through fraudulent transactions at Salima Sugar Company Limited (SSCL).
Speaking at a media briefing in Lilongwe, CDEDI executive director Sylvester Namiwa accused SSCL executive chairperson Wester Kossam of mismanaging the company and “turning it into his own estate.”
He alleged that Kossam hired relatives, awarded questionable contracts, and continued drawing a salary despite his tenure expiring in 2024.
According to CDEDI, a K1.3 billion sugar import contract was awarded to ESTT Holdings, reportedly linked to politician Ronald Mdoka, but no sugar was delivered.
The organisation also claims that SSCL has failed to recover K2.3 billion paid out earlier this year. In another deal, CDEDI alleges that K260 million was spent on fertilizer imports through Kossam’s associates, yet the fertilizer never arrived.
Namiwa further warned that poor maintenance of the company’s mill has caused massive crop losses, resulting in only 18,000 metric tonnes of sugar production last season, far below the 300,000 MT capacity, putting an estimated K30 billion in potential revenue at risk.
CDEDI is calling for urgent investigations, recovery of the funds, and prosecution of all individuals involved.
