MALAWI MINING INVESTMENT FORUM 2025
The Malawi Mining Investment Forum opened in Lilongwe, attracting foreign and local investors as the country pushes to turn its mining potential into actual wealth that transforms the economy.
President Dr Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, presiding over the opening of the event, spoke strongly against exploitative investors and perceived secrecy around mining deals, calling for honest partnerships that ensure mineral resources benefit the entire nation, not just the investors and a few individuals.
The President cited three pieces of the puzzle that are critical to ensuring that mineral resources bring economic transformation, and they include a robust legal framework, credible and transparent negotiations in mining agreements and honest investment partnerships.
"My Administration has worked very hard to safeguard the stake of Malawians in these minerals, and we have even established a public Mining Company through which Malawians will soon be able to buy shares in the various minerals that are present in the country," he said.
In his remarks, the Minister of Mining, Kenneth Zikhale Ng'oma, painted a picture of the future of mining in the country, projecting sector contribution to the economy to 10 per cent from the current 0.7 per cent once the mining projects underway are operational, stressing that the Ministry will safeguard the resources.
"Contracts will be properly negotiated to ensure Malawi reaps maximum benefits. While we focus on low-hanging fruit, we are equally laying the foundation for long-term value creation. We are investing in exploration, infrastructure, beneficiation, and local content to ensure that mining contributes meaningfully to Malawi’s economy — not just today, but for generations to come," the Minister said.
A number of companies and institutions in the mining, financial and other sectors mounted displays to showcase products and services at the event, which provides a platform for information on mining opportunities.
Malawi Chamber of Mines President, Maxwell Kazako, said during the opening session that the chamber is strengthening its institutional framework and expanding its footprint, both locally and regionally.
"We are deepening our engagement with government bodies, prioritising legislative advocacy, and emphasizing the critical need for sustained dialogue among all stakeholders to shape effective mining policies," he said.
At the conference, presentations and panel discussions provided insights into Malawi's mineral potential, the progress of the development of the sector and the outlook.
Among the presenters, Chief Executive Officer of Malawi Mining Company Limited (MAMICO), Leonard Kalindekafe, outlined planned projects by the new state-owned company and which include gold exploration and the construction of a mineral laboratory.
