By Suleman Chitera
United Democratic Front (UDF) President Atupele Muluzi has earned prestigious international recognition after being nominated among the Top 100 Global Future Builders 2026, a list that celebrates influential leaders shaping the future of economies, governance, and innovation worldwide.
Muluzi joins an elite group of leaders, innovators, policymakers, and institution builders drawn from Africa, Europe, Asia, the Americas, and the Middle East. The Global Future Builders Summit will take place in Istanbul, Turkey, from April 26 to 30, bringing together visionaries committed to redefining global development pathways.
Muluzi said his nomination reflects growing global interest in Africa’s shift from aid dependency to investment-driven growth and trade-led development.
“As the world shifts from aid to investment and trade, Africa’s transformation through a Business First approach, the digital economy, domestic wealth creation, investment, and global trade is increasingly gaining global attention,” said Muluzi.
He noted that the recognition follows the business-focused development strategy he unveiled last year, which has since attracted international interest.
“As you know, last year I came up with a business strategy, and people have now taken notice of my plan. It is unfortunate that Malawi is still ranked among the poorest nations after 61 years of self-rule, and this is exactly why new thinking and bold action are required,” he said.
The summit will be held under the theme “Building Tradable Value in Africa through Innovation, Productivity, and Global Competitiveness”, a message Muluzi says aligns squarely with his long-standing vision for Malawi and the continent.
“The theme clearly shows that the future is not waiting—it is being built,” he added.
Muluzi’s nomination positions him as one of Africa’s emerging global voices advocating for economic transformation, private sector-led growth, and competitive integration into global markets, reinforcing his profile beyond national politics and onto the international development stage.
The Global Future Builders platform is expected to provide Muluzi with an opportunity to showcase Malawi’s potential, engage global investors, and contribute to shaping Africa’s role in the evolving global economy.
