By Suleman Chitera | Blantyre, Malawi
President Peter Mutharika on Monday held an audience with Scottish First Minister John Swinney at Sanjika Palace in Blantyre, marking another milestone in the long-standing bilateral relations between Malawi and Scotland.
The meeting, which comes during Swinney’s official visit to Malawi, focused on strengthening cooperation in key sectors such as agriculture, health, and education — areas where the Scottish Government has been providing consistent support over the years.
According to officials, the discussions also touched on ongoing development projects funded by the Scottish Government, as well as new opportunities for collaboration aimed at improving livelihoods and fostering sustainable growth in Malawi.
Swinney arrived in Malawi on Friday, and since then, he has toured various Scottish-supported initiatives across the country. These include agricultural programs promoting food security, healthcare improvement projects, and educational partnerships between Malawian and Scottish institutions.
President Mutharika commended the Government of Scotland for its continued partnership, describing the relationship as “a model of true friendship built on mutual respect and shared values.”
He further emphasized the importance of such partnerships in driving Malawi’s development agenda, particularly in improving social services, empowering youth, and enhancing agricultural productivity.
The visit by the Scottish First Minister reaffirms Scotland’s commitment to Malawi through the Malawi–Scotland Partnership, a collaboration that has existed for nearly two decades.
