University of Malawi Economics Department

The Department of Economics wishes all members of staff and the student community a refreshing, joyful and happy mid-semester holiday!


Gowokani Chijere

Eid Mubarak to all our Muslim staff and students in the DoE!!


Gowokani Chijere

Today, at the School of Law, Economics and Government 2025 Annual Academic Staff Excellence Awards, the DoE claimed 4 out of 9 awards.

The awardees were:
1. Dr. Martin Limbikani Mwale ,position 1 in the category of Journal Publication
2. Associate Professor Gowokani Chijere Chirwa, position 2 in the category of Journal Publication
3. Mr Edward Lemani, position 3 in the category of Journal Publication
4. Dr Farai Chigaru , in the category of Rising star

The Department of Economics takes great pride in the achievements of these distinguished staff members, whose dedication to research, teaching, and community engagement continues to elevate the department’s reputation both locally and beyond.

Their success not only reflects individual brilliance but also highlights the strength of a collaborative academic environment that nurtures excellence and inspires the next generation of economists.

Excellence is not an act, but a culture—and today, the Department of Economics has proven just that.

Conventional discussions on agricultural subsidies often emphasize their role in improving productivity and household welfare, with less attention to their unintended social consequences.

A recent research publication co-authored by the DoE’s Mr. Mike Kamanga and Dr. Martin Limbikani Mwale challenges this perspective. It examines how Malawi’s Farm Input Subsidy Program (FISP) affects child labor and school attendance, taking into account differences in kinship systems.

Key findings indicate that:
1.⁠ ⁠FISP increases child labor among children in matrilineal kinship systems.
2.⁠ ⁠The program has no significant impact on child labor in patrilineal systems.
3.⁠ ⁠FISP significantly increases school attendance, but only in matrilineal kinship contexts.
4.⁠ ⁠Kinship structures play a critical role in shaping how agricultural policies affect children’s welfare outcomes.

The study highlights the importance of considering social and cultural institutions, such as kinship systems, when designing and evaluating agricultural policies.

Specifically, it puts forward the need for policy to be framed in a way that capitalizes on the positive effects of FISP on educational outcomes, and minimizes the negative effects of the program on child labour.

The paper comes from a fourth year dissertation for Mike, who was supervised by Dr Mwale. This is a testament to the DOE’s mentorship ability.

Congratulations to Mr. Kamanga and Dr. Mwale for this important contribution to development and policy discourse!


Gowokani Chijere

The Department of Economics today hosted a successful engagement on the 22nd edition of the Malawi Economic Monitor, themed “Getting Reforms Right,” with a special focus on reversing Malawi’s export decline.

The Malawi Economic Monitor was presented by Jakob Engel, Senior Economist, and Efrem Chilima, Senior Private Sector Specialist from the World Bank Group, who unpacked key economic challenges facing Malawi, including subdued growth, high inflation, and declining exports, while highlighting reforms needed to support recovery and long-term growth.

The event also featured an engaging plenary discussion moderated by Ms. Norah Mwase, with contributions from Prof. Happy Kayuni, Dr. Cyprian Kambiri, and Dr. Esmie Kanyumbu, who provided diverse insights on policy direction and economic transformation.

The session brought together academia, policymakers, and students, fostering meaningful dialogue on how Malawi can strengthen its economic future through informed policy and collective action.

The message was clear: Malawi’s economic turnaround will not happen by chance, it will be driven by bold reforms, informed dialogue, and decisive action.


Gowokani Chijere

The University of Malawi is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting, TODAY!!

Topic: 2nd Malawi Economic Monitor
Time: Mar 19, 2026 09:00 AM Harare, Pretoria
Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87408946628?pwd=lrgKk1HtlLU1iaLQ2qGcfJyxFp472k.1

Meeting ID: 874 0894 6628
Passcode: 023937

This Thursday, 19th March, the DoE will be hosting the World Bank Group for Malawi Economic Monitor Presentation, a timely and high-level dialogue on “Getting Reforms Right” and the urgent task of reversing Malawi’s export decline.

The main presentation will be delivered by Jakob Engel (Senior Economist, World Bank Group), offering key insights into Malawi’s macroeconomic trajectory and the structural reforms needed to unlock sustainable growth.

The session will be followed by a rich panel discussion moderated by Ms. Norah Mwase (Lecturer, Department of Economics), featuring:

- Professor Happy Kayuni (Executive Dean, UNIMA School of Law, Economics and Government)

- Dr. Esmie Kanyumbu (ECAMA , CEO)

- Dr. Cyprian Kambili (Senior Lecturer, Department of Private Law)

Together, they will interrogate the policy, institutional, and structural dimensions shaping Malawi’s economic performance and export competitiveness.

The event will be as follows:

📅 19th March 2026
📍 Wadonda Lecture Theatre
⏰ 09:20 AM – 12:30 PM

The DoE looks forward to this!!


Gowokani Chijere

This Thursday, 19th March, the DoE will be hosting the World Bank Group for Malawi Economic Monitor Presentation, a timely and high-level dialogue on “Getting Reforms Right” and the urgent task of reversing Malawi’s export decline.

The main presentation will be delivered by Jakob Engel (Senior Economist, World Bank Group), offering key insights into Malawi’s macroeconomic trajectory and the structural reforms needed to unlock sustainable growth.

The session will be followed by a rich panel discussion moderated by Ms. Norah Mwase (Lecturer, Department of Economics), featuring:

- Professor Happy Kayuni (Executive Dean, UNIMA School of Law, Economics and Government)

- Dr. Esmie Kanyumbu (ECAMA , CEO)

- Dr. Cyprian Kambili (Senior Lecturer, Department of Private Law)

Together, they will interrogate the policy, institutional, and structural dimensions shaping Malawi’s economic performance and export competitiveness.

The event will be as follows:

📅 19th March 2026
📍 Wadonda Lecture Theatre
⏰ 09:20 AM – 12:30 PM

The DoE looks forward to this!!


Gowokani Chijere

Conventional discussions on public debt and economic growth often assume that stronger institutions always mitigate the negative effects of debt.

A recent research publication co-authored by the DoE’s Ms. Bertha Nguluwe and Dr. Farai Chigaru challenges this assumption. It examines the threshold effect of public debt on economic growth in Africa’s Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPCs) from 2000 to 2023, considering the role of institutional quality.

Key findings indicate that:

1. Debt supports growth up to a threshold of about 22%, but becomes contractionary beyond that.

2. Low-income and resource-intensive countries have slightly higher thresholds (25% and 22%, respectively).

3. Institutional quality amplifies rather than mitigates the negative effect of excessive debt in HIPCs.

4. Strong institutions may enforce global fiscal norms that limit domestic policy space in highly indebted economies.

The study highlights the need for African HIPCs to complement governance reforms with debt relief, restructuring, and prudent borrowing anchored in global cooperation.

Congratulations to Ms. Nguluwe and Dr. Chigaru for this important contribution to economic policy discourse!


Gowokani Chijere

Yesterday, the 12th of March, 2025, 20 Economics students from years 1 to 4 doing Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Development Economics were awarded certificates for being on the Executive Dean's List in 2025/2026 Academic Year

The students received their certificates at the Vice Chancellor's Excellence Awards and Executive Dean's List Awards Ceremony in the Great Hall.

Congratulations to everyone!!


Gowokani Chijere

Yesterday, the 9th of March, 2026, the Head of Economics Department, Associate Professor Gowokani Chijere Chirwa, had a great time with the UNIMA Debate team and the UNIMA Economic Society's President and Vice President.

Talking over lunch at T&D Conference Centre and Restaurant, the HoD commended the Chirunga Debators for the excellent performance throughout the Tilitonse Foundation's Shifting the Power Inter-university debates.

The DoE's Eric Dinga and Bright Chifwenthe; Law Student, Sungeni Mkwanda; and Political Science Student Ndagha Nuka represented UNIMA and were finalists in the Shifting the Power Inter University Debates.

The debates were organised by MISA Malawi Chapter through Tilitonse Foundation's Shifting the Power Program with support from Comic Relief and United Kingdom's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) also known as UKAid.


Gowokani Chijere

The Department of Economics wishes to congratulate one of its alumni and the first media intern, Ngwakutemwa Sibale , for being awarded the Mandela Institute for Development Studies-MINDS Africa scholarship, to pursue an honours in Economics at the University of Cape Town.

The DoE wishes her all the best as she begins this new academic chapter.

“Ngwa…, may you shine, just as you made the DOE…”

Gowokani Chijere

We celebrate the brilliance, leadership, and impact of DoE's women this International Women's Day.

Happy International Women's Day!!!


Gowokani Chijere