By Nawa Kumaliopa Introduction Few foreign businessmen in Malawi have generated as much debate as Nir Gess, the Israeli-born businessman who serves as Malawi’s Honorary Consul to Israel. While supporters credit him with strengthening diplomatic and economic ties between Malawi and Israel, critics argue that his business interests, diplomatic influence, and involvement in key bilateral […]
By Staff Reporter A passport is one of the most important documents for any citizen who wishes to travel outside Malawi. Whether you are planning to study abroad, attend business meetings, seek medical treatment, or simply explore other countries, obtaining a valid passport is the first step toward international travel.Diplomatic Passport Scandal in Malawi: Questions […]
By Suleman Chitera Malawi may be one of Africa’s poorest nations, but beneath its soil lies a valuable treasure that is quietly enriching powerful syndicates while ordinary citizens remain trapped in poverty. For years, reports and investigations have suggested that gold mined in districts such as Kasungu, Nkhotakota, Mzimba, Mangochi and other mineral-rich areas is […]
Although not accused in the Mmobuosi saga, Nir Gess embodies the structural rot. As Malawi’s Honorary Consul to Israel, Gess is not entitled under law to a Malawian diplomatic passport. Yet questions swirl about whether he, and others in similar positions, have enjoyed privileges well outside official regulations.
At the same time,
Born in Israel but rooted in Malawi through decades of business ventures, Gess has long been one of the most influential figures linking the two countries. His family has operated large-scale tobacco estates in Malawi, a business that has often been accused of exploiting labor while shaping the rural economy in significant ways. Supporters call him a “bridge-builder” between Africa and Israel, while critics see him as a powerful businessman who masks profit motives under the veil of diplomacy.
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
The letter, which was also copied to Malawi’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Nancy Tembo, further confirmed that the official award ceremony will take place in October 2025, with the venue and exact date to be announced soon.
