Malawi Confirms Vice President Jane Ansah’s UK Family Visit Will Cost Taxpayers $97,000 Amid Austerity

The Malawian government has officially confirmed that Vice President Jane Mayemu Ansah will embark on a two-week private family visit to the United Kingdom, a trip expected to cost taxpayers MK168,028,400 (approximately $97,000). The visit is scheduled to begin on December 26, 2025, and will run until January 10, 2026, with the Vice President travelling alongside a five-member delegation.

According to a statement issued in Lilongwe by the Minister of Information and Government Spokesperson, Dr. Shadric Namalomba, the trip received formal approval from President Peter Mutharika’s administration. The government noted that although the original projected cost of the visit was MK294,719,200, it was later reduced in line with the austerity measures announced by President Mutharika in October to curb public spending amid Malawi’s worsening economic situation.

Namalomba stated that the approved budget covers international flights and travel allowances for the delegation, insisting that the reduced figure reflects the administration’s commitment to prudent financial management and responsible use of public resources. However, the confirmation has intensified public debate, as the trip has been described as purely private, with no official diplomatic meetings or state engagements attached.

Critics argue that funding a private foreign visit with public money contradicts the government’s austerity narrative, especially at a time when Malawians are grappling with rising inflation, currency pressure, and economic hardship. The announcement has further fueled political backlash and scrutiny from civil society groups questioning the justification for the expenditure.

The confirmation follows earlier reports and public outrage over allegations that the Vice President planned to spend as much as $1.3 million in public funds to attend her husband’s 80th birthday celebration in the UK. The Office of the Vice President has since dismissed those claims as fake and misleading, maintaining that the approved cost of the trip is significantly lower. Despite this clarification, the controversy continues to dominate public discourse in Malawi.