The Economic Affairs Department (EAD) is the Government’s think tank responsible for policy analysis on a wide range of issues including: fiscal and monetary policies, financial sector reforms, public enterprise management and economic integration. It coordinates the preparation and monitoring of national budget, the monitoring and analysis of macroeconomic performance especially relating to fiscal and monetary policies, the regulation of financial institutions and the coordination of development of regional economic policies.
It is responsible for ensuring that policy advice is targeted at achieving the strategic objectives as spelled out in the Malawi Growth and Development Strategy (MGDS) namely creating wealth through sustainable economic growth and infrastructure development as means of achieving poverty reduction. The main purpose of the Department is to provide short to medium – term economic, fiscal and monetary policy services to the Minister of Finance and the Secretary to the Treasury (ST) in collaboration and consultation with relevant institutions and partners.

Core Functions

• The preparation and review of the National Economic Programme;
• The coordination and preparation of annual short to medium – term economic and fiscal policy statements and updates;
• Advise the Minister of Finance and the Secretary to the Treasury on short to medium – term economic, fiscal and monetary policies;
• Monitoring and analysis of macroeconomic performance especially relating to fiscal and monetary policies;
• Conducting public finance management policy studies; 
• Coordinating policies in the financial sector including such areas as: banks, non – bank financial institutions, micro-finance, insurance industry, pension funds, asset management, debt market, payment systems, anti money-laundering, credit reference systems, foreign exchange markets, retirement and money transfer systems;
• Monitor the financial performance of public enterprises; and 
• Facilitating regional economic integration initiatives within Southern Africa Development Community (SADC), Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), and African Union (AU).