University of Malawi Economics Department

University of Malawi Economics Department This is the Department of Economics at University of Malawi in Zomba, Malawi

Fiscal policy plays an important role in how governments respond to economic challenges, but fiscal rules can also affec...
23/09/2026

Fiscal policy plays an important role in how governments respond to economic challenges, but fiscal rules can also affect the resources available to governments and their ability to respond to changing needs.

A recent research publication by Mr. Gift Matabwa and DoE's Dr. Lucius Cassim and Ms. Bertha Nguluwe examines the relationship between fiscal rules and fiscal space in Sub-Saharan African economies from 1980 to 2020 in “Do Fiscal Rules Limit Fiscal Space?”.

Key findings indicate that:
1. Fiscal rules reduce fiscal space in Sub-Saharan African economies, contrary to conventional expectations.
2. Higher public debt increases perceived sovereign default risk and risk premia, raising borrowing costs.
3. Higher borrowing costs and tighter external financing conditions reduce the level of sustainable public debt, consequently limiting fiscal space.

The study contributes to the understanding of fiscal policy in developing economies by highlighting how sovereign risk and persistent debt distress can influence the relationship between fiscal rules and fiscal space.

We congratulate Mr. Gift Matabwa, Dr. Lucius Cassim and Ms. Bertha Nguluwe on this important contribution to research and policy discussions on fiscal policy, public debt and economic management in Sub-Saharan Africa.


Gowokani Chijere

The Department of Economics is proud to celebrate an outstanding achievement by one of its students, Mr. Don Phoso, who ...
19/09/2026

The Department of Economics is proud to celebrate an outstanding achievement by one of its students, Mr. Don Phoso, who has secured first place at the 2026 Research and Innovation Dissemination Conference held at the Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences- MUBAS.

Through Moments by Madoso, Don has developed an innovative approach to transforming agricultural by-products and waste into fragrances, creating new avenues for economic value, entrepreneurship, and opportunities within Malawi’s emerging floriculture value chains.

This achievement reflects the creativity and entrepreneurial potential of our students-which a product of our entrepreneurship course. The Department of Economics congratulates Mr. Don Phoso and wishes him continued success in advancing his innovation.


Gowokani Chijere

Access to financial services can help households manage savings and plan for the future, but limited knowledge and confi...
16/09/2026

Access to financial services can help households manage savings and plan for the future, but limited knowledge and confidence in digital financial services can restrict their use among informal savings groups.

A recent research publication by DoE’s Prof. Levison Chiwaula and Dr. Lucius Cassim together with Dr. Mirriam Matita, Dr. Tayamika Zabula, and Prof. Marcos Agurtou used a clustered randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effects of combining financial literacy training, mobile money instruction and SMS reminders among VSLA members.

Key findings indicate that:
1. The intervention increased participants' reported knowledge of mobile money services and their use of selected mobile money functions.
2. The intervention improved self-reported financial inclusion indicators among participants.
3. Participants developed more positive perceptions of mobile money as a secure and efficient tool for VSLA savings and deposits.

The study contributes to the growing evidence on digital financial inclusion by showing that combining training with SMS reminders can improve knowledge, self-reported use and perceptions of mobile money among individuals already engaged in informal savings groups.

We congratulate Prof. Levison Chiwaula and Dr. Lucius Cassim as well as their colleagues on this important contribution to research and policy discussions on digital financial services, financial inclusion and informal savings groups in Malawi.


Gowokani Chijere

Orthopaedic injuries are a major cause of illness and disability in low-income settings, highlighting the need for effec...
11/09/2026

Orthopaedic injuries are a major cause of illness and disability in low-income settings, highlighting the need for effective and affordable treatment options in Malawi.

A recent research publication by Ms. Pakwanja Desiree Twea, Prof. Peter Hangoma, Prof. Ole Frithjof Norheim, Dr. Sven Young, Dr. Boston Munthali, Prof. David Watkins and DoE’s Prof. Levison Chiwaula examines the cost-effectiveness of surgical and conservative treatment for four common orthopaedic injuries in Malawi.

Using a dynamic state-transition model covering the period 2021 to 2031, the study compares surgical and conservative treatment with no treatment and assesses the potential health impact of scaling up the most cost-effective interventions.

Key findings indicate that:
1. Surgery is more cost-effective for femoral shaft fractures and paediatric supracondylar humeral fractures (PSCHF).
2. Conservative care is more cost-effective for humeral shaft fractures.
3. For patellar fractures with an intact extensor mechanism, surgical and conservative treatments are similarly cost-effective.
4. Under an ambitious scale-up scenario, approximately 1,800 disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) could be averted, representing a 10% reduction relative to the baseline, at an incremental cost of approximately US$5 million.

The study contributes to evidence on how limited healthcare resources can be prioritised for orthopaedic services in Malawi. The findings highlight the importance of context-specific evidence when determining which treatment approaches to scale up in low-resource settings.

We congratulate Professor Levison Chiwaula and his colleagues on this important contribution to research and policy discussions on healthcare resource allocation and orthopaedic care in Malawi.


Gowokani Chijere

On 9 September 2026, the Department of Economics welcomed Timange Banda, a Health Economist and former DOE student, for ...
10/09/2026

On 9 September 2026, the Department of Economics welcomed Timange Banda, a Health Economist and former DOE student, for an insightful engagement on key aspects of Malawi’s health system.

The session explored the Malawi Health System, the health financing landscape and its four core functions: resource mobilisation, resource pooling, strategic purchasing, and leadership and governance. Students also gained insights into ongoing government reforms across these areas, with a deeper focus on Direct Facility Financing as a key reform under strategic purchasing.

The session further explored Health Technology Assessment (HTA) and Malawi’s journey towards its institutionalisation, including a case study on the Ministry of Health’s recent rapid HTA of three HIV interventions: Lenacapavir Injectable PrEP, the triple test for HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B, and the fourth generation HIV test.

The engagement highlighted the role of health economics in shaping better health policy and decision making in Malawi. We look forward to more engagements that connect our students with professionals and deepen their understanding of health economics in practice.


Gowokani Chijere

Today, the Department of Economics had the honour of hosting the new International Monetary Fund (IMF) Resident Represen...
09/09/2026

Today, the Department of Economics had the honour of hosting the new International Monetary Fund (IMF) Resident Representative in Malawi, Mr. Yugo Koshima, who chose to begin his tenure with a courtesy call to the Department.

The visit provided an opportunity for an engaging discussion with Prof. Gowokani Chijere Chirwa, Dr. Winford Masanjala, Dr. Farai Chigaru, Mr. Edward Leman, and Ms. Victoria Mkhaya on Malawi’s economic challenges, the role of economics in shaping policy, and opportunities for stronger collaboration between the IMF and the Department.

Mr. Koshima also engaged with our students over lunch, describing them as knowledgeable, insightful, and engaging. We are proud of our students and grateful for this valuable opportunity for them to interact directly with a key institution in global economic policy.

We look forward to deeper collaboration with the IMF in advancing economic policy and Malawi’s development.


Gowokani Chijere

The Department of Economics held a refresher training session for new Teaching Assistants on the 3rd of September, 2026....
04/09/2026

The Department of Economics held a refresher training session for new Teaching Assistants on the 3rd of September, 2026.

The training was facilitated by Professor Gowokani Chijere Chirwa, Professor Levison Chiwaula, Dr. Elizabeth Kamchedzera, Dr. Winford Masanjala, Mr. Paul Chiwaya, Mr. Peter Mmwala, Ms. Atupele Mwakikunga and Mr. Lazarous Zaipa.

Some of the topics covered included: Being an Economist “Teacher”, Effective Teaching and Assessment, Inclusive University Teaching, Understanding University Finances, and Keeping Economics Students Motivated.

The Department welcomes Mr. Eric Dinga, Ms. Esther Gangata, Ms. Tayamika Gama, and Ms. Yamikani Bottoman as our new Teaching Assistants.

We look forward to their contributions in supporting teaching and learning this academic year.


Gowokani Chijere

The Department of Economics is pleased to announce that applications for the Master of Arts in Economics (Non-Residentia...
04/09/2026

The Department of Economics is pleased to announce that applications for the Master of Arts in Economics (Non-Residential) January 2027 intake are now open.

Apply here: https://admission.unima.ac.mw/

Deadline: Friday, 25 September 2026.


Gowokani Chijere

The Department of Economics congratulates newly recruited Teaching Assistant, Ms. Yamikani Bottomani, for taking the se...
02/09/2026

The Department of Economics congratulates newly recruited Teaching Assistant, Ms. Yamikani Bottomani, for taking the second place in 2026 edition of the SADC Tertiary Institution Essay Competition.

During the writing of this essay, Ms. Bottomani was a final year student pursuing Bachelor of Arts in Development Economics in the DoE.

This is not the first time Ms. Bottomani has demonstrated her remarkable creativity and incredible ingenuity in essay writing. In 2024, she secured third place nationally in a similar competition hosted by Malawi Bureau of Standards (MBS) in partnership with the African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO).

This is evidence of DoE's commitment to producing well-rounded world class Scholars.

Congratulations to Ms. Bottomani!


Gowokani Chijere

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