Malawi Government Denies Claims Vice President Jane Ansah Will Spend $1.3 Million Public Funds on Husband’s 80th Birthday Celebration in UK

The Malawian government has strongly denied allegations that Vice President Jane Mayemu Ansah plans to spend $1.3 million (K2.3 billion) in public funds on a private trip to the United Kingdom for her husband’s 80th birthday celebration. The denial follows widespread public outrage after documents circulated on social media claiming the Vice President would travel to the UK with a large, taxpayer-funded entourage amid ongoing economic hardship in the country.
In an official statement issued on December 22, 2025, the Office of the Vice President described the alleged budget documents as fake, misleading, and not originating from any government institution. Signed by the office’s Communications and Public Relations Officer, Richard Mveriwa, the statement insisted that no such expenditure was approved and urged the public to rely only on verified information from official channels.
The controversy comes at a time when the Malawian government is calling on citizens to endure austerity measures, intensifying criticism from civil society groups and social media users who questioned the justification for public spending on what was perceived as a private family event. The Vice President’s office reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and accountability, condemning what it described as the deliberate spread of false information capable of undermining public trust.

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Malawi Vice President Jane Ansah Sparks Outrage After Spending $1.3million Public Funds To Attend Husband’s Lavish 80th Birthday Celebration In UK

Malawi’s Vice President, Jane Ansah, has come under intense public criticism following revelations that she spent an estimated K2.3 billion (about $1.3million) in public funds to travel to the United Kingdom with a large government-funded entourage to attend her husband’s 80th birthday celebration. The trip, described by sources as a private visit with no official or diplomatic agenda, is scheduled to take place in Nottingham between December 26 and January 10, according to official documents from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The delegation reportedly includes about 16 people, comprising personal aides, security officers, medical and protocol staff, the Vice President’s brother, and a close family friend, raising serious concerns about abuse of public resources. Critics argue that the expenditure contradicts the government’s austerity measures at a time when Malawians are grappling with food shortages, fuel scarcity and collapsing public services.
Civil society groups and governance advocates have condemned the trip as emblematic of elite excess, warning that such actions erode public trust and undermine economic recovery efforts. Despite mounting backlash, the Vice President’s office has declined to disclose the full cost or justification for the trip, further fuelling demands for accountability and transparency.

U.S. Partially Suspends Visa Issuance for Nationals of 19 Countries Starting January 1

The U.S. Department of State announced that, effective January 1, 2026, at 12:01 a.m. EST, it will partially suspend the issuance of certain visas to nationals of 19 countries, in accordance with Presidential Proclamation 10998, titled "Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States."

The affected countries are: Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burundi, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Venezuela, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

The partial suspension applies to non-immigrant B-1/B-2 visitor visas, F, M, and J student and exchange visitor visas, as well as all immigrant visas.
Limited exceptions include:
Immigrant visas for ethnic and religious minorities facing persecution in Iran
Dual nationals applying with a passport from a country not subject to the suspension
Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) for certain U.S. government employees
Participants in major sporting events
Lawful permanent residents of the United States
The measures aim to address deficiencies in screening, vetting, and information-sharing, citing factors such as visa overstay rates and other national security considerations.
No previously issued visas will be revoked under the proclamation. For more details, visit the U.S. Department of State's website or the relevant U.S. embassy.

US Expands Travel Restrictions, Suspends Green Card and Citizenship Applications for Nigerians

The United States government has expanded its travel restrictions on Nigerians, now suspending legal immigration applications, including green cards, naturalisation, and other permanent residency pathways. This means Nigerians can no longer submit or have their applications processed for these programs.

According to CBS News, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is implementing the suspension in line with President Donald Trump’s recent proclamation, which initially imposed partial travel restrictions on several developing countries, including Nigeria.

The earlier restrictions affected nationals seeking entry on B‑1, B‑2, B‑1/B‑2, F, M, and J visas. The latest suspension extends beyond Nigeria to include countries such as Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, Syria, as well as Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Dominica, Gabon, Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Senegal, Tanzania, Tonga, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Nationals of these countries will no longer be able to apply for US citizenship or permanent residency. US authorities cited national security concerns as the reason for the travel bans, explaining that a “general lack of stability and government control” in these countries makes it difficult to properly vet applicants or assess potential security threats.

USCIS further stated it is “conducting a comprehensive review of anyone from anywhere who poses a threat to the U.S., including those identified in the President’s latest proclamation.” The Nigerian government has yet to respond to the expanded restrictions but has previously expressed its willingness to collaborate with the US in addressing concerns related to immigration and security.

Nigerians now banned from travelling to US as Trump expands travel restriction list

President Donald Trump on Tuesday, December 16, signed a proclamation further restricting entry into the United States for nationals of countries identified as high risk due to what the White House described as persistent and severe deficiencies in screening, vetting and information sharing that threaten national security and public safety.

Among the 15 additional countries placed under partial entry restrictions is Nigeria. The decision was announced in a fact sheet published on the White House website on December 16, 2025, titled “President Donald J. Trump Further Restricts and Limits the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States”.

The White House said the move was aimed at strengthening national security through what it called common sense restrictions based on data.

The proclamation maintains full entry restrictions on nationals from the original 12 countries previously listed under Proclamation 10949. These countries are Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.

It also introduces full restrictions on five additional countries, namely Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan and Syria, as well as individuals holding travel documents issued by the Palestinian Authority. Laos and Sierra Leone, which were previously under partial restrictions, have now been placed under full restrictions.

Nationals of Burundi, Cuba, Togo and Venezuela remain subject to partial restrictions.

In addition, the proclamation imposes partial entry restrictions on 15 more countries. These include Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Tonga, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

The fact sheet states that exemptions remain in place for lawful permanent residents, existing visa holders, certain visa categories such as athletes and diplomats, and individuals whose entry is deemed to serve United States national interests.

Malawi’s President Lazarus Chakwera conceded defeat Wednesday in last week’s election, saying in an address to the nation that it was clear his rival Peter Mutharika had an “insurmountable lead”.

Trump Slaps 15% Tariff on Nigeria, Others in Major Trade Shakeup — South Africa, Libya Hit Harder

In a bold move to recalibrate global trade, U.S. President Donald Trump has officially imposed 15% import tariffs on Nigeria and several African nations, effective August 1.

The sweeping tariffs — under the Executive Order "Further Modifying the Reciprocal Tariff Rates" — also target Zimbabwe, Zambia, Ghana, Malawi, Madagascar, Uganda, Mozambique, Mauritius, and Lesotho.

South Africa and Libya face even steeper tariffs of 30%, while Tunisia will pay 25%. Outside Africa, countries like India (25%), Japan (15%), and the UK (10%) are also included.

> This marks the second round of tariffs on Nigeria this year, following an earlier 14% hike in April.


According to the White House, the tariffs are part of a broader push to ensure "reciprocal trade terms" with nations benefiting heavily from U.S. markets.

#TrumpTariffs #NigeriaUSRelations #GlobalTrade #TariffWar #AfricaTrade #USImportDuties #TrumpPolicy

On The Sideline Of AFREXIMBANK Annual Meeting, First Lady Hosts Spouses Of African Heads Of State.

First Lady Oluremi Tinubu hosted African First Ladies at a cultural event at Nike Art Gallery Abuja, highlighting Nigerian art and fashion.

Wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has hosted visiting African First Ladies on the sideline of the 32nd Annual Meeting of the AFREXIM Bank.

She applauded the potential of arts to strengthen the bond of unity on the continent.

The First Lady spoke on Friday at the Spouses Program hosted at the Nike Art Gallery in Abuja.

At the event which featured dance, fashion show and art exhibition, Mrs Tinubu said the nation-s diverse culture, tribe and tradition is one of its many strengths.

She expressed her pride to show her guests, including the First Ladies of Malawi and Gabon, Wife of the Vice President of Tanzania and representative of Egypt around one of Africa’s foremost art galleries, Nike Art Gallery.

Mrs Tinubu also led them on an excursion around Nigerian designer stalls to sightsee and shop

Though relaxed, the crux of the reception is not so far removed from the main agenda of the AFREXIMBANK Annual Meeting.

US Expands Travel Ban to Twenty-Five African Countries Including Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria, Malawi, Senegal, and Cameroon, New Update You Need to Know

US considers imposing visa ban on Nigeria, 24 other African countries
Aside Nigeria, other African countries listed in the memo are Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritania, and Niger.