By Burnett Munthali
The National Planning Commission (NPC) and the Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to foster industrial research and cultivate an industrial mindset among students. This collaboration is part of a broader strategy to revitalize Malawi’s industrialization agenda, which has faced challenges due to the country’s ongoing industrial slowdown.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, NPC Director General Thomas Munthali emphasized that the partnership seeks to complement the country’s aspirations under the Malawi 2063 vision.
“The industrial slowdown we are experiencing is a major setback to achieving the Malawi 2063 goals. This partnership leverages an industrial research approach to support the ATMM strategy, which focuses on agriculture, tourism, mining, and manufacturing development,” Munthali stated.
MUST Vice-Chancellor Professor Address Malata highlighted the university’s ongoing initiatives to contribute to industrialization, including plans to manufacture electronic devices such as tablets.
“This MoU aligns with our existing efforts to advance industrial growth. We are taking practical steps to integrate research and innovation into Malawi’s industrial framework. The production of devices like tablets is one of the ways we aim to make a direct impact,” Malata explained.
Professor Malata also pointed to the construction of MUST’s industrial park as a key component of the partnership.
“Once the industrial park is complete, it will serve as a hub for driving full-scale industrialization. The park will also facilitate industrial research that provides scalable solutions to meet the needs of the industry,” she said.
The MoU underscores a shared vision to address Malawi’s industrial challenges and stimulate sustainable economic growth. By combining academic innovation with practical industrial applications, the partnership is expected to create a robust platform for achieving the country’s industrialization goals.
Stakeholders are optimistic that this collaboration will pave the way for a new era of industrial development, helping Malawi realize its ambitions under the Malawi 2063 blueprint.
