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How to Complain About Unfair Prices, Faulty Products or Unfair Treatment in Mala

updated on : Saturday, 7 Nov, 2026 · 2 min read · from 3 official sources

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Table of contents
  • The Competition and Fair Trading Commission (CFTC) handles consumer complaints about unfair pricing, faulty goods and unfair trading practices24
  • You can file a complaint by letter, email, phone, in person, or using a Consumer Complaint Form2
  • If goods are faulty or unsafe, you have the right to repairs, replacement or a refund, and traders cannot refuse refunds for sale items4
  • The CFTC investigates breaches and can use mediation, alternative dispute resolution, or issue cease and desist orders to settle complaints2

If you believe a business has treated you unfairly by overcharging, selling faulty goods, or engaging in other unfair trading practices, you can file a complaint with the Competition and Fair Trading Commission (CFTC). The CFTC is a government agency mandated to protect consumers from harmful and unfair trade practices.9

What counts as a consumer complaint

A consumer complaint is an allegation that your rights under the Competition and Fair Trading Act and Consumer Protection Act have been infringed, impaired or threatened.2 This includes issues with pricing, product quality and unfair business conduct.

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Your consumer rights

Goods sold to you must be safe, of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose, delivered within a reasonable time and must match any description given.4 If goods don’t meet these standards, you have a right to repairs, replacement or a refund.4 Traders cannot legally use disclaimers such as “no refunds on sale items” or “goods once purchased are not returnable” – these are unlawful.4

How to file a complaint

You can lodge a complaint with the CFTC in the following ways:2

All written complaints should be addressed to: Executive Director, Competition and Fair Trading Commission, 1st Floor Mpikisano House, Off Mandala Road, Private Bag 332, Lilongwe. Tel: +265 1759506/72

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How complaints are handled

Once the CFTC investigates and establishes a breach, it uses two main approaches to settle your complaint:2

Official sources

  1. CONSUMER PROTECTION GUIDELINES 2015 cftc.mw · PDF
  2. CFTC ENCOURAGES CONSUMERS TO EXERCISE THEIR RIGHTS DURING THE FESTIVE SEASON cftc.mw
  3. CFTC concerned with rising consumer rights violations cftc.mw

Every fact in this guide comes from these official Government of Malawi pages, numbered to match. Fees, dates and rules change: confirm on the official site before you go. Spotted an error? Tell us.

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