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UNDP commits support to Malawi’s agricultural commercialisation agenda

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By Chisomo Phiri

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has pledged support towards Malawi’s agricultural commercialisation agenda, with a focus on strengthening the banana, rice, and soya bean value chains.

UNDP Deputy Country Representative, Chika Charles Aniekwe, made the remarks in Lilongwe on Thursday during a roundtable discussion on the three crops under the Ulimi ndi Chilengedwe (UCHI) project.



Aniekwe said the three value chains have strong potential to drive Malawi’s agricultural transformation, noting that improved productivity, expanded agribusiness opportunities, and higher incomes for smallholder farmers could be achieved through targeted investment and coordination.

He, however, stressed the need for stronger partnerships and coordinated action among government institutions, the private sector, financial service providers, development partners, and research institutions to address systemic challenges affecting agricultural value chains.

On his part, Secretary for the Ministry of Industrialisation, Business, Trade and Tourism, Wiskes Mkombezi, said the government already has policies and strategies in place aimed at transforming the selected value chains under the UCHI project.

He highlighted the role of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and cooperatives involved in various value chains, including banana, rice, and soya bean production and processing.

Speaking on the same, Mwapata Institute Executive Director William Chadza, whose organisation conducted an in-depth analysis of the three value chains, noted that Malawi is currently not producing enough to meet both domestic and export demand.

He cited challenges such as limited access to clean planting materials, including seeds and suckers, as well as poor farming practices, as key factors contributing to low production of the three crops, which he described as highly in demand.

The roundtable discussion was held under the theme ‘Turning potential into commercial outcomes: strengthening implementation for inclusive commercialisation.’

Muluzi pushes for multi-sector reform to address national setbacks

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By Chisomo Phiri

President of the United Democratic Front (UDF), Atupele Muluzi, has called for national reflection on Malawi’s future, saying the country is currently at a decisive moment that requires collective action and renewed leadership.

Speaking in an interview with 247 Malawi News, Muluzi said Malawians must seriously consider the direction the country is taking and whether current approaches are effectively addressing persistent socio-economic challenges.

“Malawi stands at a crossroads. The real question is: what do we truly want as a nation?” he said.

Muluzi



He warned against ignoring the difficulties faced by citizens, which he attributed to systemic inefficiencies and leadership failures, and urged a shift toward practical solutions and institutional reform.

Muluzi emphasized that meaningful progress would require collaboration across all sectors of society, including government, opposition parties, civil society, the media, and the private sector.

He further stated that reform efforts should be driven both from within government through accountability and honesty in acknowledging shortcomings, and from outside through sustained civic engagement and constructive pressure for change.

The UDF leader, who contested the September 16, 2025 presidential election but performed below expectations in a crowded field, said Malawi’s political landscape requires renewed commitment from all stakeholders if the country is to achieve meaningful transformation.

Apostle Clifford Kawinga’s humbleness and selfless life big lessons to many

By Linda Kwanjana

History has finally been made, it is possible to have donors amongst the poorest countries like Malawi with shared commitment , vision and zeal for Malawi.

Malawi needs more Apostle Clifford Kawingas because of several factors that will be tackled. Kawinga has stood tall as a good example of what economic empowerment is all about. His vision of combining large-scale humanitarian relief with a push for long-term self-reliance — a gap that’s critical in a country facing recurring hunger, floods, and aid dependency.

Kawinga



Malawi needs more selfless people like Apostle Kawinga because he has managed to build systems, not just giving handouts through his Hope Field Initiative.

Under Salvation for All Ministries International, Kawinga runs a “multi-million-kwacha irrigation and food security program” targeting many households across the country.

What makes it different is that instead of one-off food aid, beneficiaries get solar-powered irrigation pumps, seeds, fertilizer, farming tools, and are organized into cooperatives for training.

His philosophy,  shows not just another once-off act of charity “We don’t believe in starting projects that die out — we believe in building lasting change”.

He has demonstrated and shown unwavering commitment towards promoting Climate-smart agriculture.

That matters because Malawi’s food crises are cyclical. 

Talking of Disasters, many people have commended Kawinga because he responds fast during disasters.

For example in Mchinji flush  floods, he  reached out to  640 flood-hit households with maize flour, blankets, plastic sheets, then set up 3 farming clubs of 200 members each to restore farming with a goal of “move beyond relief and into empowerment”.

In Nsanje he Distributed 2,400 bags of maize to 2,400 households in Feb 2026, while urging communities to stop deforestation that worsens floods.

In Likoma, the Apostle distributed Maize to 2,000 families while in Lilongwe only, Apostle donated MK200 million worth of  6,000 bags of maize to 4,000 households.

Kawinga has always been consistent in addressing urgent hunger while linking it to environmental and agricultural fixes.

In terms of job creation, Apostle has played pivotal role in adding value to the Malawi economy.

Apostle Kawinga has managed to invest locally while employing thousands of not only Malawians, Kawinga has even employed white people serving his companies (alibe tsankho).

Kawinga haa established himself as a successful business mogul,  an entrepreneur whose fortunes cuts across economic lines.

He now runs Creck Hardware, CK Ceramics, Sharon Private Schools, CK Farm, and Creck Football Club. Many Malawians praise him as someone who “prospered through hard work and continues to share his blessings… across political and social devide.

Malawi needs business leaders who create jobs, pay tax, then channel profits into social programs without donor dependency.

Kawinga has always fills gaps where government/donors are stretched.
He explicitly says the support complements “government efforts to fight hunger”.

During COVID-19, Cyclone Freddy, and lean seasons, his food aid reached vulnerable families. He also donated K25 million food to Home of Hope Orphanage in Mchinji.

His humanitarian and agricultural model makes many Malawi needs more leaders like him. Ngakhale Golide mumpake matope azakhalabe golibe basi.

Malawi faces chronic food insecurity  climate shocks. People like Kawinga matter because they combine scale, speed, and sustainability. Experts says the country needs fewer “donations” and more “Hope Field” style programs that help Malawians “stand on their own feet”.

Kawinga work of forming farming cooperatives, disaster response, and  entrepreneurship has impacted positively to Malawians. This is same reasons as a Country we need more Kawingas. Do you want to become another Kawinga? Just work hard you will become one. As a country let us stop jealousy,  envy for nothing instead lets support one another.

Maranatha Opens Global Education Doorway for Malawian Students

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By Rahim Abdul

Maranatha High School Academy has taken a bold step in expanding higher education opportunities for Malawian learners by sealing a strategic partnership with Sharda University of India.

The development is expected to ease access to international tertiary education, particularly for students who have long faced financial barriers to studying abroad.

Speaking during the official unveiling ceremony held in Blantyre on Thursday, Managing Director Dr Enerst Kaonga emphasized the institution’s role in supporting national education priorities.


The event, hosted at Amaryllis Hotel, drew stakeholders from the education sector and media, highlighting the growing interest in cross border academic collaborations.

Kaonga noted that investing in education remains critical for Malawi’s long-term development, stressing that empowering young people with quality skills will shape a productive future workforce.

He explained that through the Memorandum of Understanding signed with Sharda University, Malawian students passing through Maranatha Academy will now have access to a wide range of degree programmes in India.

“These include fields such as science, engineering, chemistry, and physiotherapy, all offered at a more affordable cost compared to many international options,” he said.

Kaonga further urged students who excelled in the recent Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE) examinations to take advantage of the opportunity and apply.

Meanwhile, Rahul Pal described the partnership as a milestone, noting that Sharda University is already seeing growing interest from Malawian students.

Pal said the collaboration will not only benefit individual learners but also contribute to Malawi’s socio-economic development through the skills and knowledge students will acquire abroad.

Education experts say such partnerships are key in bridging gaps in higher education access while exposing students to global academic standards.

The initiative comes at a time when Malawi continues to seek innovative ways to strengthen its education system and prepare youth for competitive global markets.

With this partnership in place, Maranatha Academy has positioned itself as a key player in connecting Malawian students to international academic opportunities.

100,000 metric tonnes of maize imported from Zambia arrive in the country

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By Phillimon Backson

The National Food Reserve Agency (NFRA) has disclosed that it has received 100,000 metric tonnes of maize from Zambia which has  arrived in  the country 13 April, 2026 out of  a total planned 200,000 metric tonnes.

This has been disclosed on 16 April, 2026.

Spokesperson for the agency, Arthur Mpakeni, said that in the first consignment Malawi Government bought 103,000 metric and the remaining 3,000 metric tonnes is expected to arrive in the country soon.



According to Mpakeni, the  received maize  constitutes the first consignment under a broader supply agreement between the governments of Malawi and Zambia, aimed at alleviating the country’s ongoing food shortages.

He has added that the remaining 97,000 metric tonnes are expected to be delivered in the second phase of the arrangement.

This initiative forms part of the government’s wider response to food insecurity, which has been exacerbated by erratic weather conditions