Renowned business tycoon Napoleon Dzombe has expressed frustration over what he describes as exorbitant fees and procedural delays in obtaining certification to commence fertilizer production at his factory in Dowa District.
Dzombe made the remarks when appearing before a parliamentary committee that is inquiring into the challenges affecting the issuance of a licence for the Mulalo Fertilizer Factory project.
He accused the relevant authorities of a lack of political will to expedite the project, arguing that the government could facilitate the investment by allowing the company to commence operations with reduced fees or temporary tax exemptions.
Dzombe said he had initially approached the Mozambican government, where authorities offered him free land and a five-year tax exemption on imported raw materials—an incentive package he said contrasts sharply with what is available in Malawi.
He said his decision to establish the fertilizer factory was driven by a desire to help thousands of Malawian farmers access affordable fertilizer. However, he said bureaucratic hurdles are discouraging him, despite being a local investor seeking to contribute to the country's agricultural development.
Among the challenges delaying the project, Dzombe cited the absence of a title deed for the factory site, saying the document was misplaced and requires follow-up with the Ministry responsible for lands.
In response, the parliamentary committee pledged to engage the relevant lands authorities to help locate the missing documents and facilitate the licensing process.
