LocationsNew strategy places digital transformation, taxpayer service and a wider tax base at the centre of financing Malawi’s development priorities
Malawi Revenue Authority launches five-year plan to modernise revenue administration
August 26, 2026
Hon. Joseph Mathyola Mwanamvekha, MP (seated, second from right), Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Decentralization, and Ms Fenella Frost (standing, second from right), UNDP Malawi Resident Representative, join senior government officials for a group photo following the successful launch of the Malawi Revenue Authority Corporate Strategic Plan.
UNDP Malawi/ Steve M'bayeni/ 2026
The Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) has launched its Corporate Strategic Plan for 2026–2031, outlining a five-year reform agenda to strengthen domestic revenue mobilisation, improve taxpayer services and build a modern, digitally enabled revenue administration.
Launched on 24 August 2026 in Blantyre under the theme “Leveraging Digital Transformation for Sustained Revenue Growth and Efficient Service”, the plan is aligned with Malawi 2063, its First 10-Year Implementation Plan, the Domestic Revenue Mobilization Strategy and the draft National Economic Recovery Plan.
The Guest of Honour, the Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Decentralization, Hon. Joseph Mathyola Mwanamvekha, MP, said increasing domestic revenue is ultimately about improving people’s lives.
Hon. Joseph Mathyola Mwanamvekha, MP, delivers his remarks during the official launch of the Malawi Revenue Authority Corporate Strategic Plan.
UNDP Malawi/ Steve M'bayeni/ 2026
Behind every revenue target are real lives. Increased domestic revenue means more classrooms, better-equipped hospitals, safer roads, and more opportunities for our youth.Hon. Joseph Mathyola Mwanamvekha, MP, Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Decentralization.
The strategy comes as Malawi seeks to raise more of its own resources to finance public services and reduce pressure on government finances. It supports the country’s ambition to increase the tax-to-GDP ratio from about 16.8 percent towards 20 percent. This means increasing the amount of tax collected in relation to the size of the economy.
The plan also aims to widen the tax base by bringing more eligible individuals and businesses into the tax system. This could increase revenue collections without placing a heavier burden on those already meeting their obligations.
Ms. Fenella Frost, delivers her remarks during the official launch of the Malawi Revenue Authority Corporate Strategic Plan.
UNDP Malawi/ Steve M'bayeni/ 2026
A wider base is the fairest form of compliance, because it asks a reasonable contribution of many, rather than more from the same few.Ms. Fenella frost, UNDP Malawi Resident Representative.
Digital services designed around taxpayers
The plan is organised around three pillars: sustainable revenue mobilisation, digital transformation, and people and institutional culture.
It prioritises digitalisation through integrated tax and customs systems, expanded digital services to improve taxpayer engagement with MRA. Internally the system will leverage third party integrations, on risk-based compliance and better use of data to strengthen accountability, reduce human intervention, and inform evidence-based policy reforms.
Among its targets, MRA plans to increase the proportion of core processes that are fully digitised from 15 percent to 85 percent and raise on-time filing from 71 percent to 88 percent.
These reforms are intended to make registration, filing, payment and dispute resolution simpler and faster, including for taxpayers in rural and underserved areas.
Commissioner General Felix Kingstone Tambulasi said the strategy would guide MRA efforts to improve revenue collection and become a more taxpayer-oriented institution.
This Plan will guide the Authority over the next five years as we strengthen revenue mobilisation, improve taxpayer service, enhance digital transformation and continue building a modern and responsive revenue administration.Mr. Felix Kingstone Tambulasi, Commissioner General for the Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA)
A simpler and more predictable tax system can also support businesses to grow and move from the informal to the formal economy. This is particularly important for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises and young entrepreneurs.
A plan shaped through consultation
The plan was informed by a review of MRA’s previous strategy and consultations with government institutions, taxpayers, tax agents, professional bodies, civil society, academia and MRA staff across divisions and stations.
UNDP and the European Union through the Chuma Cha Dziko Programme provided financial and technical support to the process. The support covered stakeholder consultations, drafting and validation of the strategy. This effort was particularly important in shaping a Strategic Plan that considered Internal and external views, as well securing a wider buy-in of the Strategy.
The consultations helped MRA identify areas of progress and continuing challenges, including the recovery of unpaid taxes, taxpayer experience, data quality, infrastructure and organisational culture. The new plan translates these lessons into measurable objectives that will help MRA track progress.
The strategy builds on the previous planning period, during which MRA recorded an average revenue performance rate of 99 percent and exceeded its annual targets in four of the six years.
MRA Board Chairperson MacFussy Kawawa said the value of the strategy would depend on its implementation and the results delivered.
Secretary to the Treasury Dr Cliff Chiunda showcases the MRA Corporate Strategic Plan to mark its official launch.
UNDP Malawi/ Steve M'bayeni/ 2026
The ultimate success of the Plan will not be judged by the eloquence of its text, but by the discipline of its execution.Mr. MacFussy Kawawa Board Chairperson for the Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA)
Participants during the launch of the MRA Corporate Strategic Plan.
UNDP Malawi/ Steve M'bayeni/ 2026
The plan’s priorities will be translated into responsibilities for MRA divisions, departments and individual officers, connecting the strategy with the daily work of staff and making performance easier to measure.
Using research to improve tax administration
The launch also included MRA’s first research magazine, reflecting the Authority’s commitment to using research and administrative data to improve tax administration and inform public policy.
“We aspire to build an MRA that not only administers taxes but also learns from its data, generates knowledge and applies research to strengthen tax administration and inform policy,” Tambulasi said.
Better use of data can help MRA understand taxpayer behaviour, identify revenue losses and design services that respond to different groups.
Participants during the launch of the MRA Corporate Strategic Plan.
UNDP Malawi/ Steve M'bayeni/ 2026
From strategy to implementation
Effective implementation will require sustained collaboration among the Government, MRA, taxpayers, businesses, civil society and development partners. Continued engagement with taxpayers will help MRA understand what is working and where changes may be needed.
UNDP stands ready to continue working with MRA and other partners in areas including digital transformation, data governance, and support on expansion of the tax bracket.
To strengthen implementation of the CSP, sustained meaningful public dialogue will also be essential in building trust and reinforcing social contract. Citizens need to remain engaged, not only to understand why taxes are collected, but more critically how their contributions are translated into tangible services and development outcomes.
By linking stronger domestic revenue mobilisation with improved services, greater trust and more accountable institutions, the strategy will help Malawi sustainably finance its national priorities and advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
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