By Suleman Chitera
Hon. Joseph Mathyola Mwanamvekha, MP, has made a significant diplomatic and economic breakthrough following high-level talks with the United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi.
On December 20, 2025, Mwanamvekha met UAE Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Shakhboot Bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, where the two leaders held wide-ranging discussions aimed at strengthening bilateral relations between Malawi and the UAE.
During the meeting, Mwanamvekha formally appealed for UAE support in key strategic sectors critical to Malawi’s development, including fuel supply, fertilizer procurement, pharmaceuticals, and the long-awaited rehabilitation of Bakili Muluzi International Airport (formerly Chileka Airport).
In a major boost for Malawi, Sheikh Shakhboot gave firm assurances that the UAE, through the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, is ready to support the construction and upgrading of Bakili Muluzi International Airport, a project expected to enhance trade, tourism, and regional connectivity.
The UAE Minister also reaffirmed strong interest in investing in Malawi’s mining sector, signaling growing confidence in the country’s economic potential and resource base.
Mwanamvekha’s engagement in Abu Dhabi is part of a broader investment drive. He is expected to hold further meetings with potential investors, accompanied by Reserve Bank of Malawi Governor Dr. Mafuta Mwale and Malawi’s Ambassador to the UAE, Yunus Karim.
The talks mark a significant step forward in Malawi–UAE relations and position Malawi as an emerging destination for strategic investment in infrastructure, energy, and natural resources.
