Evidence for Transformation
MwAPATA Institute
The MwAPATA Institute is an independent agricultural policy think tank in Malawi. The Institute is engaging the Government of Malawi, private sector, and civil society stakeholders in a program of applied policy analysis, policy outreach, capacity building, and policy coordination. MwAPATA was established with a grant from the Foundation for a Smoke-Free World via Michigan State University and continues with the support of various strategic partners.
RECENT EVENTS
NEW RESEARCH
IMAGRI Extends the Food Systems Governance Programme to Three More Districts
The Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development (MoAIWD), National Planning Commission of Malawi (NPC), and MwAPATA Institute held the Ireland-Malawi Agri-Food Systems Programme (IMAGRI) inception meetings with local council planners, NGOs, and INGOs in Mchinji and Mzuzu from 7th to 9th July 2026. Our Research Director, Anderson Gondwe and Research Analyst, Mrs Dinah Salonga, represented MwAPATA at the meetings. During the meetings, the IMAGRI programme, which is implemented by the MwAPATA Institute in partnership with Sense and with support from the Embassy of Ireland, was introduced. The programme supports Food Systems Transformation in Malawi, explains food systems governance, and guides councils in forming multisectoral coordination teams. Mrs Salonga presented IMAGRI's efforts to advance Malawi's food systems transformation.
Effective transformation of Malawi’s food systems depends on strong local governance to foster collaboration, reduce duplication, and optimise resources. To support this, MoAIWD and NPC are expanding food systems governance to three new districts: Mulanje (Southern region), Mchinji (Central region), and Rumphi (Northern region). The three districts were selected to ensure regional representation, enable analysis of cross-border trade (in Mulanje and Mchinji), and draw lessons from a food-insecure district (Rumphi) for national implementation. The food systems transformation initiative programme has been implemented in Dedza, Mzimba, and Chikwawa districts with funding from GIZ Malawi since 2024.
Stay Informed on Research Releases
Soil Health Frameworks in Agri-food Systems: A Review
Do Land Reforms Promote Equity in Land Rental Market Participation? Evidence from Malawi
Does accessing multiple social support programmes improve household resilience and food security?
Policy Lessons for Localising the Food Systems Transformation Agenda in Malawi
Malawi Public Agricultural Expenditure Review
Healthy foods cost more and differ by Region in Sub-Saharan Africa: A meta-analysis
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The 4th Food Systems Transformation Learning Lab
Representing the MwAPATA Institute, Research Fellow Dr Anderson Gondwe, participated in the 4th Transformation Learning Lab held in Windhoek, Namibia, under the Global Programme Transformation of Food Systems. The Transformation Learning Lab, held from 8th to 11th June 2026, brought together actors and partners in the global food systems sector who shared their experiences, best practices, and lessons learned in food systems transformation, inspiring and co-creating knowledge and processes to shape transformative actions in the years to come.
The participants at the event reflected on the global drivers and framework conditions for transformative processes for food systems and shared progress, successes, and challenges from country-based initiatives concerning the food systems transformation agenda. The event also provided a platform for networking between actors of the initiatives and partners. Apart from Dr Gondwe, representatives from the Malawi Transformation Initiative for Food Systems (TI Marawi) project included Dr Andrew Jamali of the National Planning Commission, Ms Vitowe Malawi Batch of GIZ Malawi, and Ms Patience Perera of Civil Society Organisations Nutrition Alliance. The Malawi team joined counterparts from Tanzania, Zambia, Namibia, Kenya, Mexico, Paraguay, India, and Germany.
