Malawi’s President Lazarus Chakwera has designated former Minister of Trade and Industry, Simplex Chithyola Banda, as the new Finance Minister, replacing Gwengwe.
During his initial interview, Simplex Chithyola Banda expressed confidence in the local economy’s potential for a robust recovery, provided that all Malawians fulfill their respective roles. Chithyola Banda conveyed his gratitude to President Chakwera for entrusting him with this responsibility, attributing it to a divine calling to serve the nation during a period of economic challenges.
Chithyola Banda, currently en route to the IMF/World Bank Annual Meetings in Morocco, views his appointment as a test for young people to demonstrate their capabilities in addressing economic issues. The former Trade Minister has requested patience from Malawians as he works on immediate solutions to revitalize the economy and commended Gwengwe for his prior work as Finance Minister.
Now, let’s delve into who Simplex Chithyola Banda is.
Trade and Industry in Malawi starting from February until his recent appointment as the Minister of Finance. Additionally, he holds the position of Member of Parliament for Kasungu South Constituency.
In terms of his academic background, the Minister possesses a Master’s Degree in Public Policy & Administration (MSc.PPA) and has completed a Post Graduate Diploma in Restorative Justice and International Human-rights. Furthermore, he is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Philosophy in Public Policy & Administration, which is nearing completion.
Before entering the realm of politics, Mr. Chithyola Banda held positions in various public, private, and civil society organizations, both within Malawi and across the African region, often collaborating with UN agencies. His expertise spans a range of fields, including Political Intelligence, Strategy Development, and Policy Formulation.
With over two decades of professional experience, he has actively managed NGOs, facilitating Global Partnerships for Pan African Initiatives, overseeing Educational Governance, and leading the management of Private and Civil society organizations (NGOs). He is also a trained specialist in Energy, Climate Change, and Carbon Financing under the United Nations Forum for Climate Change (UNFCC). His focus areas include Clean Development Mechanisms, GCC, and Gold Standard Methodologies.
On a personal note, Mr. Chithyola Banda is married to Jean and has four children: Regina (23), Sympathy (17), Dumisan (Simplex) (14), and Fortune (7). He is a devout Christian, sometimes referred to as a Bishop within Christian circles.
