Government Reconstitutes 66 Parastatal Boards as New Appointments Take Effect

The Malawi Government has reconstituted Boards of Directors for at least 66 parastatal institutions across various ministries, following the expiry of tenure for previous boards, in a move officials say is aimed at strengthening governance, accountability and service delivery.

According to an official announcement, the new board appointments came into effect on 9th December 2025 and cut across key sectors including education, agriculture, energy, transport, finance, information, water, trade and social welfare.

The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology has the highest number of reconstituted boards, covering major public universities and statutory bodies. Notable appointments include Professor James Seyani as Chairperson for LUANAR, Dr Ben Okomaatani Malunga for the University of Malawi (UNIMA), Rev. Reynold Mmangisa at Mzuzu University, Professor Alfred Mtenje for Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, and Mr William Mpinganjira at MUBAS.

The Malawi Institute of Education will be chaired by the LUANAR Vice Chancellor, while Dr Moses Kadyakapita takes over at the Teachers Council of Malawi. Some institutions, including the Malawi National Commission for UNESCO and the Malawi College of Accountancy Board, were constituted with members only, without a chairperson.

In the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, several influential parastatals received new leadership. Dr Thom Mpinganjira was appointed Chairperson of the National Planning Commission, while Mr James Naphambo will lead the National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF).

Other appointments include Dr Kalekeni Kaphale at PPDA, Dr Joseph Nagoli at the Public Private Partnership Commission, and Mr Noel Mkulichi at the Roads Fund Administration.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development saw extensive board changes, including traditional leaders and professionals appointed to regional water boards. Inkosi M’belwa V will chair the Central Region Water Board, Paramount Kyungu the Northern Region Water Board, while Eng. Hadson Mnthinda and Counsel Stanly Chirwa will chair Southern Region Water Board and Blantyre Water Board, respectively.

In agriculture, Mr Grey Nyandule Phiri was appointed Chairperson of ADMARC, Dr Bruce Munthali for the National Food Reserve Agency, and Dr Mary Agnes Nyirenda at the Greenbelt Authority.

The energy sector also received new leadership, with Mr Alfred Nhlema chairing ESCOM, while the Chief Secretary to Government will chair both EGENCO and NOCMA, a development likely to spark debate on concentration of oversight roles.

In the Information and Communications Technology sector, Dr Benson Tembo was appointed Chairperson of MBC, Counsel Chancy Gondwe at MACRA, and Mr Henry Shamu at the Malawi Digital Broadcasting Network Limited.

The Transport and Public Works Ministry saw Dr Witness Kuotcha appointed Chairperson of the Roads Authority, while Mr Julius Chione will lead Malawi Railways Limited. However, institutions such as the Construction Industry Regulatory Authority and Civil Aviation Authority were reconstituted without chairpersons.

Under Trade and Tourism, Monsignor Dr George Buleya will chair the Malawi Bureau of Standards, Mr Proud Chalira heads MAGLA, and Mr Korea Mpasa takes over at the Competition and Fair-Trading Commission.

In the social sector, Professor Alister Munthali was appointed Chairperson of MACODA, while Mr Steven Msowoya will lead the Disability Trust Fund and Ms Bertha Lipipa Phiri chairs the NGO Regulatory Authority.

While the government says the reconstituted boards will enhance institutional performance and align parastatals with national development priorities, governance experts and civil society organizations are expected to scrutinize the appointments.

The new boards are expected to commence work immediately, setting policy direction and overseeing management in line with their statutory mandates as Malawi heads into a new phase of public sector governance.