Business Owners Protest Against Electronic Invoice System in Several Malawian Cities
Published on February 2, 2026 at 1:34 PM by Evance Kapito
Business operators in Mzuzu have staged demonstrations to express dissatisfaction with the newly introduced Electronic Invoice System (EIS) by the Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA).
The protesters gathered at Katoto Ground before marching to MRA offices to deliver a petition outlining their concerns. The traders argue that the system places a heavy tax burden on small and medium enterprises.
Similar protests were held in Zomba on 30 January, where business owners, including many foreign nationals from Pakistan and India, temporarily closed their shops in protest against what they describe as increased taxation. The demonstrators are demanding that MRA reduces taxes linked to the electronic invoicing machines.
The protests began earlier in Blantyre on 29 January, when the Limbe Local Shop Owners Association led a march to MRA offices at Msonkho House. More than 400 business owners, carrying placards, demanded that the Electronic Tax Invoicing System should not apply to small-scale businesses.
Secretary General of the association, Chisomo Rodgers, said the system forces small traders to declare their stock and operating capital, which they believe is not practical for their type
