Undule reflects UAE high-level visit to Malawi, commends Chakwera for strengthening diplomatic relations with UAE
Malawi’s renowned governance, public policy, and human rights advocate, Undule Mwakasungula, has described the recent visit by the Deputy Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Malawi, Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, as critical in strengthening diplomatic relations between Malawi and UAE.
Mwakasungula added that the visit is a bold and visible statement that Malawi is being recognised as a country worth investing in, partnering with, and engaging on a higher level of bilateral relations.
“The visit signals for Malawi’s diplomatic direction and economic ambitions and why we must act on it,’ he said in a statement issued on Thursday.
Mwakasungula, who has played a central role in advancing democracy, civic participation, and development dialogue in Malawi and across the SADC region, stated that Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan visit, which comes barely months after Malawi President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera’s own diplomatic engagement in the UAE, is more than a ceremonial occasion.
He said as someone who has followed Malawi’s international positioning and domestic governance efforts over the years, he sees the visit as a strategic outcome of President Chakwera’s vision to strengthen Malawi’s global partnerships.
“It represents the fruits of deliberate and forward-looking diplomacy—a diplomacy that is not just reactive but assertive in redefining Malawi’s place in the global economy. What makes this visit unique is that it reflects a turning point in Malawi’s international engagement strategy. Historically, our foreign relations have often been narrowly anchored on traditional donors and humanitarian support. However, what we are witnessing now is a shift, Malawi actively engaging non-traditional partners such as the UAE, which is known globally for its financial muscle, technological advancement, and strategic influence in sectors like energy, agriculture, tourism, logistics, and digital innovation.
“This is not a coincidence. It is a result of President Chakwera’s commitment to recalibrate Malawi’s foreign policy from a dependency model to one based on mutual interest, investment, and economic cooperation. The UAE does not make such high-level visits lightly. That their Deputy Prime Minister came to Malawi is a clear signal that the UAE sees serious potential and long-term value in partnering with us.
“Of particular interest are the trade and investment agreements signed during the visit. These are not empty diplomatic rituals. They are powerful instruments that, if properly implemented, could help drive Malawi’s economic transformation. Such agreements open doors for Malawian products to access new markets, attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), and create employment opportunities,” he reacted.
Mwakasungula further said the visit also sends a strong message to the international business community that Malawi is open for business, giving hope that sectors like agriculture, renewable energy, infrastructure development, mining, and ICT can attract the attention they deserve.
He said if aligned with Malawi’s development priorities and ensure strong governance structures are in place, the benefits of the partnership to Malawians could be immense.
“This is what economic diplomacy looks like, building alliances that go beyond aid to investment, trade, and technology transfer. Malawi needs these partnerships not only to boost its GDP but to expand its industrial base, improve export capacity, and support job creation. This visit also has intangible, yet equally powerful, diplomatic value. It enhances Malawi’s global visibility and positions the country as a credible and stable partner in Africa. The fact that such a high-ranking official from a Gulf state is visiting our soil shows that Malawi is now on the radar of influential global actors,” he added.
Below are some of the sentiments Mwakasungula expressed in the statement:
Others might disagree with me because of maybe politics but under President Chakwera’s leadership, Malawi is demonstrating that it is ready to move beyond transactional aid relationships and engage in transformative partnerships. The diplomatic shift shows that Malawi wants to be a player not just a recipient in the global development and investment space.
However, a visit alone is not enough. We must now ensure that the agreements signed translate into tangible development outcomes. This will require strong political will, transparency, coordination among ministries and institutions, and above all, a national commitment to implement our end of the partnerships with integrity and consistency.
Civil society must also play its part in monitoring implementation, ensuring inclusivity, and holding the leadership and government accountable so that the benefits reach the ordinary Malawian, not just the elite.
The UAE Deputy Prime Minister’s visit is a positive and welcome development. It affirms that Malawi is not isolated, but increasingly respected and engaged. It validates President Chakwera’s pursuit of high-level diplomatic and economic partnerships that could help lift the country from poverty to prosperity.
This is a moment that must not be wasted.