President Lazarus Chakwera on Friday met United Arab Emirates (UAE) Minister of Investment and Group Chief Executive Officer of Abu Dhabi Holdings, Mohamed Hasan Alsuwaidi.
At the meeting, Chakwera appealed to the UAE government to create a platform which allows Malawi to establish reliable fuel supply as well as explore opportunities for investment in fuel refineries in Malawi.
A statement from State House says during the meeting, Chakwera emphasised the pressing need for sustainable solutions to Malawi’s recurring fuel challenges.
He stressed the importance of fostering partnerships with UAE-based fuel companies to ensure consistent petroleum supplies in Malawi.
Chakwera, the statement says, further proposed the establishment of fuel refineries in Malawi by UAE investors as a way to reduce logistical costs and enhance local capacity in fuel production.
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“A partnership with the UAE is not just about fuel supply; it’s about creating long-term solutions that bolster Malawi’s energy security and open avenues for local job creation through infrastructure development,” Chakwera said.
He said establishment of fuel refineries in Malawi would reduce logistical costs and enhance local capacity in United Democratic Front.
The findings show that Malawians are largely dissatisfied with the performance of the administration in a number of areas.
According to the survey:
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- 76 percent of Malawians think the country is going in the wrong direction
- 68 percent think that corruption has increased over the past year, and more than half of them say it has increased “a lot”.
- Only 29 percent of citizens think the government is doing well in fighting corruption in government.
On corruption perception, the citizens cited the Office of President and Cabinet and Malawi Police Service as the most corrupt public institutions in Malawi.
Presenting the findings in Blantyre yesterday, McPherry Kuntembwe, one of the researchers, said almost half of the country’s population said they had paid a bribe to a police officer to avoid legal issues.
Business executives and civil servants rank among the most corrupt in Malawi, according to the survey.
Citizens also expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of the economy, keeping prices stable and closing the income gap.
But there are some positives too.
A slight majority of Malawians say government has done a good job in provision of water, reliable electricity and educational needs.
Further, up to 84 percent of citizens who are eligible to vote say they “will definitely vote” in the 2025 general elections.
Director for Centre for Social Research and Afrobarometer National Investigator for Malawi Joseph Chunga said the survey represents voices of Malawians.
Such investments, he argued, would not only address Malawi’s immediate fuel needs but also contribute significantly to its economic growth.
On investment, Chakwera told the meeting that his administration is submitting a comprehensive investor pack to ADQ, one of the largest holding companies in the UAE, outlining bankable projects aimed at transforming Malawi’s economy.
He said the proposed projects include the establishment of a digital investment bank, logistics and mobility ventures to improve the country’s road and railway networks and investments in key government companies.
“The Government of Malawi is determined to pursue partnerships that deliver tangible progress for our nation,” he said.
“We are confident that ADQ, with its extensive global experience and resources, will see the immense potential of these projects to not only deliver financial returns but also uplift millions of Malawians by enhancing infrastructure and creating jobs,” Chakwera said.
He expressed optimism that the submission would receive a positive response from ADQ, noting the strategic importance of these projects in unlocking Malawi’s economic potential.
“I firmly believe that ADQ’s support in these critical areas will accelerate our nation’s journey toward sustainable development and strengthen the bonds between Malawi and the UAE,” said Chakwera.
According to the President, the proposed projects are part of Malawi’s broader strategy to attract high-impact investments that align with the government’s 2063 vision for economic transformation.
He also commended the UAE government for the technical support through capacity building and provision of medical equipment.
In his remarks, Alsuwaidi expressed interest in exploring these proposals.
Chakwera is in UAE on the invitation of the country’s leadership to, among other things, kick start the engagement in Government-to-Government agreements for the procurement of petroleum products.
