The Consumers Association of Malawi (CAMA) has called on government and the country’s Water Boards to halt any new water tariff increases and first review the impact of previous hikes.
In a press release dated today 11th August, 2026, CAMA Executive Director John Kapito said the association is deeply concerned that tariffs continue to rise at a time when service delivery remains poor and many Malawians are already struggling with the high cost of living.
According to CAMA, consumers have experienced consistent water tariff increases over the years without a corresponding improvement in the quality and reliability of water supply.
The association noted that many low-income households continue to face frequent water outages, dirty or brown water, long distances to fetch water when taps run dry, and high bills despite irregular supply.
CAMA further highlighted that the timing of the proposed increases is insensitive, arguing that consumers are already spending a large portion of their income on basic needs.
“Malawians are willing to pay for quality service. But we cannot keep paying more for the same poor service year after year. You cannot ask a mother in Area 25 or Ndirande to pay more for water that comes twice a week, is dirty, or doesn’t come at all,” said Kapito.
The consumer watchdog outlined several key impacts of the tariff hikes on the poor. These include increased household poverty, a return to unsafe water sources such as shallow wells and rivers, higher operating costs for small businesses, and erosion of public trust in utilities.
While acknowledging that Water Boards need resources to improve infrastructure, CAMA said any tariff adjustment must be linked to measurable service improvements. It is recommending a “Service-before-Tariff” approach where increases are preceded by and tied to clear performance indicators.
The association has also called for a pro-poor tariff structure to protect lifeline consumption for poor households, quarterly public service delivery reports from Water Boards, and stronger regulatory oversight by the Ministry of Water to ensure tariff applications are justified and consumers are meaningfully consulted.
