Social registry to expand to cities – The Times Group

Revitalizing Malawi’s Urban Economies: Citywide Social Registry Expansion Set to Catalyze Business Growth

Post was last updated: August 26, 2025

Key Business Points

  • The National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC) is set to expand the Malawi Social Registry (MSR) to cover the country’s four main cities, providing a comprehensive platform for social protection and development programs.
  • The MSR collects and stores household data, including geographic, demographic, social, and economic information, to identify and categorize households according to their socio-economic status.
  • This expansion is expected to enhance targeted interventions and resource allocation in Blantyre, Lilongwe, Mzuzu, and Zomba, promoting inclusive economic growth and poverty reduction.

The National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC) has announced plans to expand the Malawi Social Registry (MSR), formerly known as the Unified Beneficiary Registry (UBR), to cover the country’s four main cities. This move is significant for Malawi’s business community, as it will provide a comprehensive platform for social protection and development programs. The MSR is a national platform that collects and stores household data, including geographic, demographic, social, and economic information. This data is crucial for implementing targeted interventions and resource allocation in various sectors, including health, education, and agriculture.

The registry also identifies and categorizes households according to their socio-economic status by combining different household variables and parameters, including poverty ranking. This will enable policymakers and development partners to make informed decisions and allocate resources effectively. For local entrepreneurs and business owners, this expansion presents opportunities for partnerships and collaborations with government agencies and development organizations. By leveraging the MSR, businesses can gain a better understanding of their target markets and develop context-specific solutions to address the needs of their customers.

In Chichewa, this concept is referred to as "ukhazikitsidwa kwa umodzi", which means "inclusive development". The expansion of the MSR is a step towards achieving ukhazikitsidwa kwa umodzi, where all segments of society have access to opportunities and resources. As the NLGFC implements this expansion, Malawi’s business sector can expect to see improved resource allocation, enhanced targeted interventions, and increased economic opportunities. This development is a positive step towards "kugwiritsa ntchito njira zophweka", or "using innovative approaches", to drive economic growth and poverty reduction in Malawi.

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Vanessa Banda
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