Traders in Mzuzu and Limbe staged coordinated store closures on Thursday to protest the scheduled implementation of the Electronic Invoicing System (EIS), heightening tensions between business owners and the Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA).
In Mzuzu, most locally owned shops remained closed in what shopkeepers called a "stay away" protest. However, the situation was uneven, with several franchised and foreign-owned stores, including large retail chains, remaining open.
A similar shutdown occurred in Limbe, where business premises became unusually quiet as traders withdrew services to pressure authorities to address their concerns.
The action follows an earlier protest on January 29, 2026, when traders handed a petition to MRA in Blantyre, warning of a possible nationwide shutdown if their complaints were not addressed.
Traders are opposed to the EIS, which is set to be implemented on May 1, 2026. The system, a digital platform, is intended to increase tax compliance and real-time record-keeping by transferring sales data directly to tax authorities.
Shop owners argue that the timing of the rollout is inappropriate, citing prevailing economic instability. They are demanding that the government suspend the EIS and maintain the current Electronic Fiscal Devices, which they say are more manageable under existing conditions.
Chairperson of the traders’ grouping, Robert Nachamba, confirmed that the closures would continue until MRA responds to their petition.
He said the business community remains united in its stance and is engaging law enforcement agencies to ensure that the protests remain peaceful.
“We will not open our shops until our concerns are addressed,” Nachamba told journalists.
MRA has yet to issue a formal response to the latest developments, leaving uncertainty over the implementation timeline of the EIS and the potential impact on revenue collection and business operations nationwide.
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