Regional Stakeholder Consultative Meeting on the development of the Mining and Minerals Regulatory Authority (MMRA) Strategic Plan

Job Title

The Mining and Minerals Regulatory Authority (MMRA) has convened regional stakeholder consultative meetings to gather input for its inaugural Strategic Plan covering 2026 to 2031. The sessions, held in the Northern, Southern and Central regions, brought together representatives from government ministries and agencies, mining companies, civil society organisations, development partners, the media, financial institutions and the police. Opening the Central Region meeting in Lilongwe, Acting Director General of MMRA, Lloyd Muhara SC, emphasised the importance of inclusive consultation in shaping the Authority’s direction. Established under the Mines and Minerals Act No. 25 of 2023, MMRA is an independent regulator mandated to oversee mineral exploration, extraction, processing and export in line with sustainable development principles. The Authority is developing its first Strategic Plan to guide operations, strengthen regulatory oversight, promote transparency and attract responsible investment. It aligns with Malawi Vision 2063 and the Malawi Implementation Plan I (MIP-1). Participants discussed challenges including illegal mining, enforcement gaps, environmental concerns and capacity constraints. Following the consultations, MMRA will finalise the Strategic Plan for implementation in the 2026/27 financial year.