Malawi Parliament Locks Development Fund Into Constitution

Malawi's Parliament has approved a constitutional amendment to permanently establish the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). The move makes the controversial fund a permanent part of the country's supreme law. Lawmakers passed Bill No. 2 of 2025 without any changes. This decision has sparked immediate criticism from governance experts and civil society groups. Opponents argue the amendment gives members of parliament (MPs) too much control over local development spending. They warn it could weaken oversight and deepen political patronage. The CDF allocates money directly to electoral constituencies for community projects. Its inclusion in the constitution makes the fund very difficult to ever remove or significantly reform.