Government, Tobacco Commission shareholder, has praised the regulator for its excellent performance as reflected in the 2024/2025 surplus that resulted in a historic K1.5 billion payout in dividends.
Speaking after receiving a cheque from the Commission in Lilongwe on Friday, Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs Honourable Simplex Chithyola Banda lauded the regulator.
“Your exemplary financial stewardship, strategic budgeting, and operational prudence have culminated in this remarkable achievement. The Government is proud of your performance and deeply appreciative of your contribution to national development,” said the Minister.
He described the remittance as ‘a significant milestone in our collective efforts to strengthen Public Finance Management and enhance domestic revenue mobilization’.
Tobacco Commission Board Chairperson Dr Godfrey Chapola celebrated the remittance as recovery from an economic sickbed.
“In 2022, we remitted no dividend… This is when, due to erratic rains, we only produced 85 million kilogrammes of tobacco, the lowest since 2012,” lamented Dr Chapola.
“In each of the two years that followed, we managed to remit a humble MK250million in dividends. This is when we experienced favourable rain patterns and production was good again. We have, therefore, been on a recovery path the past three years.”
Minister of Agriculture Honourable Sam Kawale who attended the event, expressed pride in the Commission.
“When an institution under your Ministry achieves a milestone of this magnitude, it serves as a powerful affirmation that our national strategies are not just plans on paper, but are delivering tangible results,” he said.
“The success we celebrate today is the direct result of deliberate, intentional steps this government is taking to build a more efficient and prosperous Malawi for all.”
The Commission has three major revenue streams – registration and licensing fees which account for 50% of the regulator’s resources, followed by CESS and classification fees.
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