British High Commissioner Stubblefield named patron of Malawi–UK Chamber of Commerce

* As the Chamber prepares to open its permanent office in Malawi to respond to the needs of both Malawian and UK companies

* The United Kingdom and Malawi share a long-standing partnership, and there is significant potential to deepen our economic relationship

By Duncan Mlanjira

The British High Commissioner to Malawi, Her Excellency Leigh Stubblefield, has been named Patron of the Malawi–UK Chamber of Commerce (MUKCC) as the Chamber prepares to open its permanent office in Malawi.

The MUKCC is an apolitical, member-led organisation that operates independently to promote trade and investment receives support from both Malawi Government and the Government of the United Kingdom.

Stubblefield’s appointment was announced at a meeting in Lilongwe on Thursday, August 20, that brought together business leaders, financial institutions, industry associations, and prospective founding members.

The meeting, hosted in partnership with the British High Commission, discussed how the Chamber can promote trade, investment and stronger commercial ties between Malawi and the United Kingdom.

The Chamber is being established to provide a platform for businesses from both countries to connect, identify commercial opportunities, facilitate trade and investment and contribute to Malawi’s long-term economic growth.

A statement from the British High Commission quotes High Commissioner Stubblefield saying: “The United Kingdom and Malawi share a long-standing partnership, and there is significant potential to deepen our economic relationship.

“The Malawi-UK Chamber will provide an important platform for businesses to connect, explore investment opportunities and deepen commercial relations between our two countries.

“A thriving private sector is essential for creating jobs, driving innovation and supporting sustainable economic growth, and we are pleased to support this initiative,” she said.

On its part, the Malawi–UK Chamber of Commerce stresses that their goal “is to build an inclusive and business-focused Chamber that responds to the needs of both Malawian and UK companies,” says CEO Hannington Gondwe.

“We want to create practical opportunities for networking, partnerships, trade facilitation and investment. We want the Chamber to become a trusted bridge between Malawian and UK businesses seeking to grow, invest and collaborate.”

Stakeholders welcomed the initiative and highlighted the need for transparent governance, accessible membership options and a focus on high-potential sectors for growth, including agriculture, mining, energy, financial services, tourism, technology and professional services.

A representative from the private sector, Ronald Ngwira — president of the Malawi Confederation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (MCCCI) and Managing Director of Illovo Sugar Malawi Plc, said the MUKCC “is a timely initiative that can further help bring the private sector together around shared opportunities between the two countries”.

“To succeed, it should complement and add value to the work already being undertaken by bodies such as MCCCI, while avoiding duplication. Its success will depend on strong governance, clear value for members and meaningful engagement across key sectors.”

The statement adds that the MUKCC Secretariat will now build on the feedback received as it finalises governance arrangements, recruits founding members and partners, and prepares for the formal launch soon.

The High Commissioner also attended a meeting where the launch of the UK-Malawi Chamber of Commerce that is expected to further strengthen commercial ties between the two countries and support efforts to increase trade, investment and business collaboration between the two countries.

The high-level UK-Malawi Business Roundtable in London in July on Tuesday, Stubblefield joined business leaders, investors, policymakers and development partners — along with the then UK Malawi High Commissioner to the UK, Dr. Thomas Bisika.

At the meeting Stubblefield also reaffirmed the UK and Malawi’s long-standing partnership, which she described as built on mutual respect and shared ambitions.

The meeting talks centred on expanding commercial ties in agriculture, mining, energy, healthcare, tourism, financial services and technology sectors, which both governments have identified as priorities for growth.