The initiative, led by the Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA), targets traders who bring goods into the country through uncharted routes along borders with Zambia, Mozambique and Tanzania.
For years, authorities in Lilongwe have warned that the bulk of revenue losses stem not only from traders undervaluing or under-declaring goods at authorised border posts, but from those who bypass formal entry points entirely.
The government hopes the new drone system will help trace these movements, enforce compliance and recover funds that should rightfully be flowing into the national coffers.
Entrepreneur Brian Kampanje welcomed the move, calling it a step towards curbing tax evasion. He argued that while small-scale smugglers are often visible targets, the country must ensure the cost of enforcing compliance does not exceed the revenue it recovers.
“This is an effective deterrent measure and will increase tax revenue from both imports and exports, but the programme must be monitored. If we spend more enforcing compliance than what is collected, then it defeats the purpose. On a larger scale, real smuggling may actually be happening at official borders,” he said.
The urgency of the measures follows an underperforming financial year in which the MRA failed to meet its revenue target, forcing government to borrow from commercial banks at what officials described as “unpalatable” interest rates.
Drone Operations Expert Kampata Nyirongo also praised the system but urged strong ethical standards. He highlighted the safety benefits of drones, noting that they allow surveillance in areas that are dangerous for border personnel.
“The key is ensuring the data collected is high-quality, and the system is not abused. Any system is only as good as the people using it,” he said.
Government officials report that since the World Bank-funded initiative was launched, 421 arrests have been made and goods worth millions of Malawi Kwacha have been intercepted.
Blantyre resident James Perry said the increased revenue could help fund essential services. “This is a good development. It will boost revenue and reduce corruption at physical checkpoints. What matters now is transparent reporting of what the drones detect,” he said.
The pilot phase began in late 2022, with drone operators undergoing training and authorities engaging local leaders to ensure community acceptance of the programme.
–ChannelAfrica–
