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.

MwAPATA Institute

RECENT EVENTS

NEW RESEARCH

16th Ndizotheka Eminent Speakers Series (ESS)

On Thursday, 9th April 2026, the MwAPATA Institute held the 16th edition of the Ndizotheka Eminent Speaker Series (ESS) at the BICC in Lilongwe. The 16th ESS was organized in collaboration with our partners, namely the National Planning Commission, Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR) and Oxfam, with support from AGRA and the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Malawi. The theme for the event was "Policy and State Capability for Agricultural Transformation: Creating and Enabling Environment for Private Sector Investment in Malawi."

In his presentation, the keynote speaker, Jonathan Said, who is the Vice President for Centre of Technical Expertise at AGRA, called for a structured collective action from the champions of change in both the public and private sectors to achieve agricultural transformation in Malawi. He emphasized that if the problem hindering the transformation is misaligned incentives and fragmented actors, then the solution is not more traditional projects but structured collective action.

The 16th ESS brought together key stakeholders from the government, civil society organizations, development partners, private sector, farmer organizations, academia and research institutions, students and the media to discuss policy-related challenges and opportunities towards creating an enabling environment for private sector investment in Malawi for agricultural transformation. The eminent speaker series aims at increasing awareness and strengthening coordination among these stakeholders on critical policy issues affecting agriculture, natural resources, trade and community development in Malawi.

Watch the event's highlights video here and find the eminent speaker's presentation here.

5th African Regional Conference on Loss and Damage

In collaboration with our partners led by the Civil Society Network on Climate Change (CISONECC), the MwAPATA Institute co-organized the 5th Edition of the African Regional Conference on Loss and Damage, held at BICC in Lilongwe from 25 – 27 March 2026. The theme for the conference was: “Advancing Sustainable, Equitable and Just Financing and Technical Support for Loss and Damage in Africa.” The Conference aimed to advance a coherent approach to financing, assessment, and addressing loss and damage (L&D), while enhancing access to technical assistance, including through the Santiago Network on Loss and Damage (SNLD). Minister of Natural Resources, Hon. Patricia Wiskes, was the Guest of Honour.

Representing the MwAPATA Institute at the conference, Research Fellow Dr. Maggie Munthali, moderated the discussion on the topic "Delivering Technical Support for Loss and Damage: Lessons from SNLD". The discussion focused on identifying financing models and governance structures capable of delivering accessible and equitable resources; improving robust, context-appropriate methodologies for assessing economic and non-economic losses; and examining how litigation, human rights frameworks, and accountability tools can reinforce climate justice in Africa.

Stay Informed on Research Releases

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

Unlocking youth opportunities in the forest sector: The role of green jobs in generating youth employment in Malawi

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