By Paul Madise

Lilongwe, March 26, Mana: Minister of Higher Education, Dr Jessie Kabwila, has underscored the significance of open conversations to address both educational and economic challenges facing the country towards the realization of an inclusive, wealth and self-reliant nation as embedded in Malawi 2063 (MW2063) blueprint.

Kabwila made the remarks on Tuesday at the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe during the contact dialogue of the Malawi School of Government (MSG) with the outgoing National Planning Commission Director General Dr. Thomas Munthali and various stakeholders including the academia.

Kabwila emphasizing the importance which honest and evidence-backed discussions plays towards the transformation of the country.

She also stressed the need for public and private sector collaborative and transformative actions to address challenges in the agriculture sector stating recourse allocation and the need for innovative financing mechanisms saying such actions necessitates achievement of national developmental goals.

She acknowledge the commendable the leadrship roles played by the outgoing NPC Director General, Dr Thomas Munthal, noting that during his tenure, he ensured that NPC remained independent, professional and apolitical.

Kabwila said Manthali played a pivotal role in conceptualizing, driving and championing Malawi's long-term development agenda, the MW2063, and the MW2063 First 10-Year Implementation Plan (MIP-1); and fostering strategic partnerships across state and non-state actors.

“Whatever it is we are doing at higher education, we are teaching people to re-invent the wheel, she said."

NPC Chair, Prof. Richard Mkandawire, reiterated the need for mindset change, particularly from a capitalist perspective, to achieve fairer economic outcomes emphasizing the need for a differential approach to leadership to drive economic progress.

Mkandawire attributed the role leaders play in leveraging aid and financing in driving economic development further ensuring effective use of aid to achieve economic progress.

On the country's economy and education strategies, Munthali emphasized the importance of standardized training programs that align with the country's education goals.

He noted the importance of involving various stakeholders including cabinet ministers and parliamentarians and the role of professional institutions in empowering the next generations.

On February 4, 2025, NPC  announced that Munthali will be stepping down from his position effective March 31, 2025 to take up a new role at the Commonwealth Secretariat in London, United Kingdom.