* A specialised academic and consultative unit operating under the umbrella of the Shanxi Provincial Professors Association
* I am deeply honoured. Every milestone is a reminder that learning, service, and excellence open doors beyond borders
By Duncan Mlanjira
Malawi’s prominent private practice lawyer and corporate governance expert, Noel Chalamanda, has been appointed as a visiting professor at the Foreign Commercial Law Research Centre of the Shanxi Provincial Professors Association in China.
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Making the announcement on his LinkedIn profile, Chalamanda — who served as Mayor of the City of Blantyre from July 2014 to January 2017 — said he was also appointed as an arbitrator at the International Arbitration Centre Africa (IACA).
“I am deeply honoured,” he wrote. “Every milestone is a reminder that learning, service, and excellence open doors beyond borders.
“I look forward to contributing to the growth of international legal scholarship, commercial law, and dispute resolution while building stronger bridges between academia and practice.
“My sincere appreciation to both institutions for this privilege and responsibility,” he wrote.
The post received an avalanche of congratulatory responses, with Darlington Alex Murupa — Internal Auditor Officer Tobacco Commission describing the appointments as outstanding and well-deserved and as a remarkable testament to Chalamanda’s “expertise, integrity, and unwavering commitment to excellence in the legal profession”.
“These prestigious appointments not only recognise your distinguished contributions to legal scholarship and dispute resolution but also highlight the calibre of African professionals making a significant impact on the global stage.
“Your achievements are an inspiration to aspiring academics and legal practitioners, demonstrating that dedication, continuous learning, and exceptional service create opportunities that transcend borders.
“Wishing you every success as you undertake these important roles. May your contributions strengthen international legal collaboration, advance commercial law, and promote fair and effective dispute resolution.
“Congratulations once again on this remarkable achievement, and may this be the beginning of even greater milestones ahead.”
Murupa was joined by many offering their felicitations with Brighton Yollex Mwamadi saying: “Gaining the recognition from across boarders raises Malawi flag so high! All the best.”
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According to AI-generated research, the Foreign Commercial Law Research Centre is a specialised academic and consultative unit operating under the umbrella of the Shanxi Provincial Professors Association in China.
It primarily serves as an institutional platform for cultivating talent and advancing research within the framework of China’s expanding foreign-related legal system.
It bridges the gap between academic theory and practical legal applications by focusing on:
* International and comparative law — researching foreign civil, commercial, trade, investment, and maritime legal frameworks;
* Belt and Road legal support — providing intellectual support, research, and policy alignment to accommodate the ‘Belt and Road’ initiative and the regional opening-up of Chinese markets;
* Dispute resolution & commercial mediation — enhancing international commercial dispute mechanisms, cross-border commercial compliance, and risk management for enterprises expanding globally; among others.
The centre brings together local legal academics, senior professors, and international legal professionals and routinely appoints international legal experts and practitioners to serve as visiting professors or research fellows to bolster its international reach.
In March 2026, Chalamanda achieved further regional prominence when he was appointed as the Appeals Committee chairperson for the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA).
Just this month, he was one of distinguished panelists for the closing session of the Tanzania Institute of Arbitrators (TIArb) Summit held in Dar es Salaam from July 22-24.
The TIArb reported that the grand finale panel brought the continent’s most pressing extractive industries challenges into sharp focus, under the topic; ‘The Future of Extractive Industries Arbitration in Africa: Advancing Sustainable Resource Governance, Energy Transition and Investment Confidence’.
Chalamanda, a founding partner at Knight & Knight Attorneys, a private law firm based in Blantyre, specialises in alternative dispute resolution.
He holds professional affiliations with major global bodies, including the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb)-London and the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA).
He served as the Mayor of Blantyre after entering local governance out of a desire to improve city management, public infrastructure, and waste management.
He eventually stepped back from frontline politics to focus on his legal and advocacy work.
He is an alumnus of the prestigious US International Visitor Leadership Programme (IVLP) and frequently lectures and writes on topics regarding democracy, leadership, and ethical governance.
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