By Suleman Chitera
Malawi’s Honorary Consul to Israel, Nir Gess, has been nominated for the Honorary Consul of the Year 2025 Award by the Ambassadors’ Club of Israel, a recognition that comes as Malawi’s diplomatic and economic ties with Israel continue to deepen.
In a letter dated July 22, 2025, the Club’s President, Ambassador Yitzhak Eldan, said the nomination recognizes Gess’s “unique contribution to Malawi–Israel bilateral relations” and his support for the club, which connects foreign diplomats to Israel. The award ceremony is expected in October 2025.
The nomination has been welcomed by Gess, who described it as “an incredible honor and a proud moment as a Malawian representative.” Since his appointment in 2021, he has championed investment, agricultural cooperation, tourism, and most notably the controversial labour export programme that sends Malawians to work on Israeli farms.
Labour Ties: Promise and Peril
The labour programme, formalized under a government-to-government agreement, has created opportunities for young Malawians but also raised concerns. Workers have departed even during the Israel–Gaza conflict, with critics questioning the risks, welfare provisions, and transparency of contracts. Reports of some workers abandoning farms to seek asylum abroad have further fueled debate.
Government officials argue the arrangement boosts foreign exchange earnings and provides jobs, but activists say oversight remains weak. Details of contracts—covering pay, housing, healthcare, and insurance—have not been fully disclosed.
A Dual Role
Gess is not just a diplomat; he is also a businessman with long-standing agricultural interests in Malawi. Supporters see this as an advantage in attracting investment. However, observers have raised questions about potential conflicts of interest between his business and diplomatic roles, particularly in agriculture and labour export sectors.
Symbolism of the Award
The Ambassadors’ Club award is given annually to diplomats and honorary consuls for outstanding contributions. If Gess secures the title in October, it will mark a symbolic victory for Malawi’s strategy of positioning itself as one of Israel’s closest partners in Africa.
But the recognition also highlights deeper questions for Lilongwe:
- How much foreign exchange has actually flowed back to Malawi through labour exports?
- What monitoring exists to safeguard Malawian workers abroad?
- And to what extent do private business interests overlap with national diplomacy?
What Next
As Malawi celebrates this diplomatic spotlight, pressure is mounting for greater transparency. The Ministries of Labour and Foreign Affairs face calls to release the full labour MoU, publish worker welfare audits, and clarify financial benefits.
For now, Gess remains upbeat: “I am confident this nomination will strengthen ties between our two countries. God bless Malawi and God bless Israel.”
