In Malawi, sending parcels through public transport (minibuses and taxis), popularly known as zobanduka, remains a preferred option for many. For Emily Chikopa, a resident of Thyolo Boma, using minibuses to send parcels — regardless of the route — is fast and convenient.

“You just exchange contacts with drivers. The driver calls the receiver to wait at the bus stage or depot. Not long after, the parcel reaches the receiver,” she explained.

Chikopa, however, laments exorbitant charges and a lack of courtesy among some drivers.

She says most minibus drivers charge the equivalent of a passenger’s fare for parcels.

“For instance, you pay K15,000 to deliver a 50-kilogram bag of rice from Fatima in Nsanje to Thyolo Boma. No bargain. This is too much,” she complained.

She added: “The receiver must not miss the agreed meeting and location. Some drivers shout at them, or they simply drop the parcel at the agreed spot.”

Recently, the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) issued an official statement on Facebook, warning that sending parcels through unlicensed passenger vehicles violates regulations, poses safety risks, and undermines standards in the formal courier industry.

The statement sparked a buzzing debate. Many Malawians praised minibuses for their speed and reliability, describing them as same-day delivery machines that outperform licensed couriers.

Mphatso Chimwemwe Ndeule criticized licensed couriers as sluggish, while Phillip Zitande Jr. questioned why people avoid official firms, igniting a heated discussion about trust in licensed services. Innocent Kananji and Henry P. Samuel echoed public sentiment, labeling minibuses “very fast and reliable.”

For years, users of licensed courier services have complained about poor customer care, delivery delays, and lost parcels.

“You need to start with those you gave licenses to who are losing our goods daily. People are complaining every day,” Charles Franco Saiwala commented.

“With some licensed couriers, just imagine it takes two weeks to deliver parcels from Mzuzu to Karonga,” added Christopher Mwaungulu.

MACRA’s Head of International Relations and Corporate Communications, Limbani Nsapato, says decisive steps are underway to protect consumers and strengthen the courier sector.

"MACRA has established an Illegal Operators Taskforce to coordinate efforts against unlicensed courier operations. The task force currently comprises MACRA, the police, licensed courier operators, the designated public postal operator, and freight clearing agents,” he said.

Meanwhile, Nsapato disclosed that MACRA is developing a National Postal Policy to provide a clear framework and strategic direction for the postal and courier sector. The policy aims to support growth, improve service standards, and enhance consumer protection.

He added: "These initiatives are being complemented by an ongoing review of the Communications Act, which seeks to modernize regulatory frameworks across the communications sector. The review will ensure that operators keep pace with technological advancements and deliver services that meet public expectations.”

Section 122 of the Communications Act imposes a fine of K1 million or a two-year prison sentence (or both) on anyone operating an unlicensed courier business.

As of March 2024, there were 18 licensed courier operators in Malawi, according to MACRA.

CTS Courier’s Co-founder and Managing Director, Jacqueline Bokosi, warns that unlicensed minibuses pose a “very dangerous” risk to the courier industry and public safety, as they lack accountability for lost or stolen goods.

"This situation is dangerous for both the people sending or receiving goods through buses and minibuses, and for the courier industry as a whole," she said.

While appreciating MACRA’s crackdown, Bokosi urged the regulator to strengthen enforcement and awareness. To counter competition, CTS Courier has expanded to 34 branches across Malawi, gone digital to prevent fraud, and added delivery vans for timely service.

Similarly, Postmaster General for Malawi Post Office, Angel Zangazanga Banda, noted that informal couriers undermine licensed operators and pose risks to national security.

"This leads to loss of business for licensed courier operators, increased risk of unsafe or illegal shipments, undermining public confidence, and potential national security concerns," she said.

Banda emphasized collaboration between regulators, law enforcement, and industry players as essential for safe and secure delivery. She highlighted improvements at Malawi Post Office, including new delivery fleets, CCTV systems, digital tracking, and enhanced staff training.

Meanwhile, Minibus Owners Association of Malawi (MOAM) General Secretary, Coxley Kamange, acknowledged that operating courier services through commuter minibuses or taxis is illegal.

“It is even a big problem for drivers when parcels go missing or when cheating occurs. Some people claim they have sent goods through a driver when, in essence, there is nothing,” he said.

Kamange suggested that MACRA intensify sensitization on the dangers of illegal courier services. He also proposed partnerships between regulators, licensed couriers, and minibuses to extend delivery coverage nationwide.

The clash between public preference for passenger vehicles and MACRA’s regulatory stance underscores a deeper struggle in Malawi’s logistics sector: tradition versus regulation. As informal networks continue to win public trust through speed and accessibility, licensed couriers face mounting pressure to modernize and rebuild confidence.

Whether through stricter enforcement, collaboration, or innovation, the outcome of this debate will shape the future of parcel delivery in Malawi, and determine whether everyday convenience or regulatory compliance drives the nation’s courier revolution.