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Public procurement in Malawi

Last checked: 20 October 2026 · Countries

Malawi's Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act 2017 took effect on 21 December 2017 and made open tender the default method 1. Parliament passed a revised law in December 2024, as reported by MBC 5. The President assented to Act No. 7 of 2025 on 24 January 2025 3. The PPDA website says the Authority is now mandated by the 2025 Act 4. Both Acts leave money thresholds to the Authority 1,3. Single sourcing under the 2025 Act needs Anti-Corruption Bureau clearance 3.
2017 law
Act No. 27 of 2017, assented 18 August 2017, in force 21 December 2017 1
2025 law
Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act No. 7 of 2025, assented 24 January 2025 3
Regulator
Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Authority (PPDA) 1,4
Regulations
Public Procurement Regulations 2020, Government Notice No. 24, gazetted 17 June 2020 2
Default method
Open tender 1,3
Thresholds
Set by the Authority, not stated in the Acts 1,3
Single source clearance
Anti-Corruption Bureau clearance before signing, section 45(2) of the 2025 Act 3
Supplier registration
MANePS, maneps.mw 4

Laws and regulator

The 2017 Act was assented to on 18 August 2017, gazetted on 27 August 2017 and commenced on 21 December 2017 1. It repealed the Public Procurement Act, Cap. 37:03, under section 65(1) 1. Section 4 established the Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Authority 1.

MBC reported on 20 December 2024 that Parliament had passed the amended Act 5. The 2025 Act, No. 7 of 2025, was assented to on 24 January 2025 3. Its section 1 leaves commencement to a date the Minister sets by notice in the Gazette, and section 98 deals with repeal and savings 3. The PPDA home page says the Authority is mandated by the PPDA Act of 2025 4.

Procurement methods

Both Acts make open tender the default 1,3. Section 37(10) of the 2017 Act required Director General approval, with written reasons, for any other method 1.

Method2017 Act2025 Act
Open tender 1,3Default, section 37(1) 1Default, section 38(1) 3
Restricted tender 1,3Section 37(3) 1Section 41 3
Request for quotations 1,3Below a value set by regulations, section 37(8) 1Below an amount the Authority prescribes, section 44 3
Single source 1,3Section 37(9) 1Section 45 3
Framework agreements 1,3Section 61(1) 1Section 54 3

Single sourcing

Under section 45(1) of the 2025 Act, single sourcing is allowed where the value is under an amount set by the Authority, only one supplier can meet the need, there is an emergency, or added goods must come from the same source for standardisation or compatibility 3. The 2017 Act listed the same four grounds in section 37(9) 1.

Section 45(2) of the 2025 Act says a single-source contract needs clearance from the Anti-Corruption Bureau before it is signed 3. The 2017 Act required Anti-Corruption Bureau vetting of single-source and high-value procurements under section 37(11) 1. Under section 75(1)(c) of the 2025 Act, a bidder must disclose beneficial ownership in line with the Companies Act 3. Government-to-government contracts with a foreign State fall outside the 2025 Act under section 3(2)(g) 3.

Thresholds

Neither Act states kwacha amounts. Section 6(1)(a) of the 2025 Act lets the Authority set monetary thresholds by notice in the Gazette 3. The Authority sets limits for national competitive bidding, international bidding, quotations, single sourcing, force account and intention-to-award notices 3. Under the 2020 Regulations, request-for-quotation thresholds and the low-value single-source limit are set and issued by the Authority 2. The PPDA home page reviewed for this page did not show a threshold notice, so this page gives no kwacha figures 4.

e-procurement and reviews

The 2025 Act requires use of the electronic government procurement and disposal system under sections 38(5) and 71(1) 3. The PPDA website says supplier registration runs through MANePS, and it links an e-GP page and an e-Government Marketplace for micro, small and medium enterprises 4. MBC reported that the 2025 law brought in an e-GP system 5.

Under the 2017 Act, a bidder had to apply for review during the intention-to-award period or within fourteen days of learning of the grounds, whichever came first 1. A decision was due within fourteen days of the application, and Review Committee decisions were subject to High Court review 1. The 2025 Act has review provisions in sections 82 and 83 3.

Common questions

Which procurement law applies in Malawi?

The Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act No. 7 of 2025, which the PPDA website says now mandates its work 3,4. The 2017 Act was the earlier law 1.

Does single sourcing need approval in Malawi?

Yes. The 2025 Act requires Anti-Corruption Bureau clearance before a single-source contract is signed 3.

Where are Malawi's procurement thresholds?

In notices issued by the Authority, not in the Act 3. The 2020 Regulations say the Authority sets quotation and low-value single-source limits 2.

How do suppliers register in Malawi?

Through MANePS at maneps.mw, according to the PPDA website 4.

Rules and fees change. Check the official site linked above before you apply or pay. Spotted an error? Email [email protected] with the official link.

Sources

  1. MalawiLII: Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act, Act No. 27 of 2017 (21 December 2017)
  2. Malawi Gazette via Laws.Africa: Public Procurement Regulations 2020, Government Notice No. 24 (17 June 2020)
  3. Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Authority: Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act No. 7 of 2025 (31 January 2025)
  4. Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Authority: home page (accessed 20 October 2026)
  5. Malawi Broadcasting Corporation, Rabson Kondowe: Procurement professionals welcome amended PPDA Act (20 December 2024)

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