Update: Parliament has officially passed legislation to extend Value Added Tax to foreign digital services as part of the 2026/27 National Budget reforms. According to a report from VATupdate on April 12, the Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill No. 5 of 2026 targets international platforms such as Netflix, Facebook, and YouTube. The measure aims to ensure equal tax treatment between domestic and foreign digital providers and to capture revenue from services supplied to Malawian consumers.
In regional economic news, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Council of Ministers has approved a new Medium-Term Strategic Plan for 2026 to 2030. According to an April 11 report by the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC), ministers endorsed the strategy during a virtual meeting ahead of the 25th Heads of State and Government Summit. The plan is designed to support the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area and boost cross-border commerce.
Council Chairperson Lee Kinyajui stated that the strategic plan will be essential for unlocking trade and industrial development across member states, including Malawi. COMESA Secretary General Chileshe Mpundu Kapwepwe told MBC that the framework sets a clear direction for regional progress. The strategy is built on five pillars that prioritise market integration, infrastructure expansion, and social inclusion.