By Rahim Abdul
Mobile money agents operating in Limbe Market in Blantyre have expressed deep frustration following their abrupt removal from trading spaces by the Blantyre City Council on April 6, 2026.
The traders, who facilitate financial transactions through Airtel Money and TNM Mpamba, say the move has disrupted their livelihoods and left them in uncertainty.
Speaking on behalf of the affected group, General Secretary James Fanuel described the council’s action as unfair and inconsiderate, arguing that they were not given prior notice before the eviction was carried out.
Fanuel emphasized that the lack of communication has not only shocked the traders but has also made it difficult for them to prepare alternative means of sustaining their businesses.
He added that the sudden halt in operations has severely impacted their ability to support their families and meet financial obligations, including paying workers who depend on them.
According to Fanuel, the group is now organizing to engage the Blantyre City Council in discussions over the matter, despite previous attempts at dialogue yielding no meaningful results.
Many of the traders fear that without immediate intervention, their businesses could collapse, leaving hundreds without income in an already challenging economic environment.
As of now, the Blantyre City Council has not issued an official statement regarding the eviction.
However, some of the affected traders claim the council justified the action by accusing them of causing congestion in Limbe and operating in undesignated trading areas.
The council is also said to have argued that such practices violate existing city regulations governing business operations within designated market spaces.
Despite these claims, the traders insist they deserve fair treatment and proper consultation before any enforcement measures are taken.
More than 400 mobile money agents are currently affected by the eviction, highlighting the scale of the disruption and raising concerns over the broader economic impact on the Limbe trading community.
