Tag Archives: Gondwe

AMA, Environment

UN Climate Adaptation Expo in Zambia concludes with urgent call for more finance to save lives and economies; helps countries harness AI to build climate resilience

MaraviPost
© Photo Credit: UNFCCC/Zambia | Dr Youssef Nasser, Director of Adaptation at UNFCCC, delivering remarks 
at the NAP Expo 2025 opening

LUSAKA, Zambia, 18 August 2025 -/African Media Agency (AMA)/-The largest annual climate adaptation event has concluded in Lusaka, Zambia, with an urgent call for scaled up investment to save lives, lift living standards and boost economic growth.

NAP Expo 2025 focused on strengthening countries’ capacity to advance National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) ahead of COP30 in Brazil, and closing the financing gaps that threaten effective climate adaptation.

The Expo also launched updated adaptation guidelines, and helped countries to make use of new AI tools to build climate resilience, in many countries for the first time, among other key developments.

“Adaptation isn’t a bill we can skip. If we don’t fund it, the poorest pay in lost harvests, poorer health, and – at worst – with their lives,” said Youssef Nassef, Director of Adaptation at UN Climate Change.

“Around USD 300 billion is needed annually for climate adaptation by 2030. Governments will spend this amount and much more, whether they like it or not, in rebuilding infrastructure destroyed by climate disasters, and importing food due to ruined crops,” said Nassef.

“Much smarter and cheaper is investing in resilience up-front, because this not only saves lives and money, it delivers massive dividends across every sector and every community, transforming lives and economies for the better.”

Zambia’s Minister of Green Economy and Environment, Mike Elton Mposha, said: “We must transform NAPs into investable and bankable plans attractive for investment, including by the private sector. It is also imperative to enhance horizontal and vertical coordination to ensure effective participation of various stakeholders – including women, children and youth, persons with disabilities, local communities and the private sector – in the design and execution of NAPs.”

“Climate change is a matter of life and death for our people. The 2023-2024 drought reduced crop yields by about half, and similarly reduced electricity generation by more than half. This requires a multi-pronged approach across multiple sectors and scales, centred around the critical role of water,” added Douty Chibamba, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Green Economy and Environment of Zambia.

The Expo, attended by around 400 participants from 80 countries, launched updated technical guidelines, welcomed by least developed countries and others as a strong basis to help nations in designing and implementing their NAPs by 2025, in line with the latest science and the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA).

Adaptation plans are vital to ensuring that vulnerable communities have access to the funding and support they need to build resilience to worsening droughts, floods and other climate disasters.

Key outputs from the Expo include:

  • Over six technical sessions focused on promoting mobilization and access to financing for NAPs: (i) maximizing access to existing sources and modalities under the UNFCCC Financial Mechanism; (ii) exploring new sources and modalities of adaptation finance and how countries can mobilize or engage.
  • Five sessions aiming to accelerate the uptake and use of frontier and digital technologies in the NAP process, including big data, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning.
  • For many participants, it was the first time using AI in supporting the formulation and implementation of NAPs, and the guided sessions provided an introduction to several powerful resources.
  • The AI session was so successful that participants requested an additional one, which was offered on the next day and focused on co-producing a sample open NAP to showcase concepts relevant to adaptation assessment, planning and implementation.
  • Various sessions strengthened inclusive stakeholder engagement in the NAP process by promoting the incorporation of diverse values and worldviews of Indigenous Peoples and the experiences of local communities, as well as private sector involvement, with a strong focus on vulnerable communities, gender-responsiveness and youth participation.
© Photo Credit: UNFCCC/Zambia | Fumukazi Zilanie Gondwe, Indigenous leader from Malawi’s Nyika Plateau, delivering remarks
at the opening.

Fumukazi Zilanie Kamgundanga Gondwe, traditional leader of the Phoka people, Rumphi, Malawi, said: “What we refer to as innovation is often rooted in long-standing Indigenous practices such as seed sovereignty, sacred forest protection, and cultural rituals for ecological balance.”

Ana Toni, CEO of the upcoming COP30 climate conference in Brazil, called on the global community to “transcend outdated mindsets whilst preserving shared values and innovating towards a new planetary renaissance, where humankind regenerates its relationship with itself and with the nature it belongs to.”

“COP30 will serve as a turning point for adaptation, and NAPs must lead the way, building capacity and securing funding to strengthen our efforts. In Belém, adaptation must be elevated to the same level of importance as mitigation on the global agenda, especially as the impacts of climate change have already infiltrated our homes. Together, we have the power to implement meaningful change and safeguard our communities for a more resilient and sustainable future,” Toni added.

Attended by government officials, technical experts, Indigenous leaders, private sector representatives, and development partners, the Expo from 11-15 August was marked by a focus on implementation – how to help countries meet the 2025 NAP submission target.

Countries also showcased practical solutions to the Global Goal on Adaptation targets:

  • Water security: nature-based solutions for urban rainwater harvesting, climate-smart agricultural practices, and restoration of rivers and streams.
  • Food security: climate-smart agriculture techniques improving soil health and yields without expanding land use.
  • Secure Livelihoods: diversified income and strengthened resilience through sustainable resource management.
  • Resilient infrastructure: coastal protection projects rooted in nature-based solutions.

Youssef Nassef expressed deep gratitude to the Government and people of Zambia for their gracious hospitality in hosting this important global event, noting how the Zambian spirit of solidarity, of hope, of collectivism and harmony helped underpin a successful Expo.

As the Expo closed, participants pointed to next month’s Climate Week in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (1-6 September) convened by UN Climate Change, as another key moment to advance adaptation and resilience, including financing needs, along with other key issues.

By bringing together negotiators with implementers in government and the real economy, along with key financiers including development banks, Climate Week will help lay a foundation for progress on finance, adaptation, mitigation and a Just Transition, in Belém and beyond.

Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on behalf of UNFCCC 

About the NAP Expo 

The NAP Expo is an annual outreach event organized by the Least Developed Countries Expert Group (LEG) under the UNFCCC. It serves as a platform for exchanging experiences, fostering partnerships and mobilizing support to advance the formulation and implementation of NAPs in developing countries. 

About the UNFCCC 

With 198 Parties, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has near universal membership and is the parent treaty of the 2015 Paris Climate Change Agreement. The Paris Agreement aims to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level which will prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system, and to protect all people from worsening climate impacts now and in the future. Through multilateral cooperation under the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement, and national efforts, projected temperature increase has been reduced from up to 5 degrees Celsius, to around 3 degrees Celsius now, if pledges are implemented. Efforts continue to lower projected temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, as all countries in the UNFCCC have agreed, as well as to build more climate-resilient economies and societies, and to spread the vast benefits of climate action across all nations and peoples. 

The ultimate objective of all agreements under the UNFCCC is to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that will prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system, in a time frame which allows ecosystems to adapt naturally and enables sustainable development.

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Business

Middlemen pose challenges in customs and clearing industry

Maravi Post Reporter

By Jones Gadama

The customs and clearing industry in Malawi is facing significant challenges due to the activities of middlemen, locally known as “dobadobas”. According to Kenneth Gondwe, Managing Director of Formula 1 Customs and Clearing Investments Solutions, these individuals often provide incorrect advice and directions to clients, resulting in financial losses and property damage.

Gondwe highlighted the problems posed by dobadobas, saying they are a major concern for his company and the industry as a whole.

“These middlemen often take advantage of clients who are not familiar with the customs and clearing process, providing them with incorrect information and advice that can lead to financial losses and property damage,” he said.

To address the challenges posed by dobadobas, Gondwe’s company is collaborating with customs and clearing agents in Namibia, Tanzania, and Zambia to find better ways of dealing with the issue.

This collaboration aims to share best practices and expertise in managing the role of middlemen in the customs and clearing industry.

Gondwe’s efforts to address the challenges posed by dobadobas are commendable, and his company’s collaboration with other customs and clearing agents in the region is a step in the right direction.

By working together, these companies can develop effective strategies to mitigate the negative impact of dobadobas on the industry.

Human Rights Activist, Mervin Xumayo, has emphasized the importance of supporting youth-led businesses in addressing the challenges posed by dobadobas.

According to Xumayo, supporting youth-led businesses will contribute to job creation and the country’s economic growth. “Youth-led businesses are the backbone of any economy, and supporting them will help to create jobs and stimulate economic growth,” he said.

Xumayo’s comments highlight the need for policymakers and stakeholders to prioritize support for youth-led businesses.

By providing support and resources to young entrepreneurs, the government can help to promote economic growth and development.

The challenges posed by dobadobas in the customs and clearing industry are significant, but they also present an opportunity for innovation and growth.

By working together, companies and policymakers can develop effective solutions to mitigate the negative impact of dobadobas and promote a more efficient and effective customs and clearing industry.

The customs and clearing industry in Malawi faces significant challenges due to the activities of middlemen.

However, by collaborating with other companies and policymakers, it is possible to develop effective solutions to mitigate the negative impact of these individuals.

Supporting youth-led businesses is also crucial in promoting economic growth and development.

The Formula 1 Customs and Clearing Investments Solutions’ efforts to address the challenges posed by dobadobas are a step in the right direction.

The company’s collaboration with customs and clearing agents in Namibia, Tanzania, and Zambia will help to share best practices and expertise in managing the role of middlemen in the industry.

As the industry continues to evolve, it is essential for companies and policymakers to prioritize transparency, accountability, and efficiency.

By working together, it is possible to create a more effective and efficient customs and clearing industry that benefits all stakeholders.

The role of dobadobas in the customs and clearing industry is complex and multifaceted.

While they may provide some benefits, such as facilitating the clearance process for clients, their activities can also lead to financial losses and property damage.

As such, it is essential for companies and policymakers to develop effective strategies to mitigate the negative impact of dobadobas and promote a more efficient and effective industry.

Opinion

Malawi government is not a retirement home

Patseni Mauka 2 Comments

Goodall Gondwe
Payment will be made after verification exercise

Written by Patseni Mauka

We will all die. No one lives forever. All the great people that we know from history were born, lived and died. Life is a simple process; you are born, become an achiever or a complete failure, get old, retire and get older while waiting to die. No matter how great you are, a six feet hole will be dug for you somewhere, lions will eat you alive, or you will drown in an ocean, never to be seen again. Each life has it’s own way of ending.

In the modern world, you have to work to earn a living. Regardless of your way of earning a living, you have to retire at one point in time. In most countries, the working age population is defined as those aged 15 to 64. As we grow old, our physical and mental abilities start to deteriorate. This is the reason why there are retirement ages for many jobs. Airlines don’t want to risk air-crashes due to slower decision making. Hospitals don’t want mistaken diagnosis or wrong medicine subscriptions because of doctors who are too old and liable to making many mistakes. Even burglars retire because breaking houses needs energy.

Former Malawi president Joyce Banda

In politics, there is no retirement age. Yet politicians have greater responsibilities. In 2017 the average age of the ten oldest African leaders was 78.5. In Malawi, Joyce Banda, who lost miserably in 2014, is standing again at 68 despite confessing that she is too old to stand again just a few days ago. Her running mate is 77 years old! President Peter Mutharika is almost 80 years old but will stand again in this year’s elections. The Minister of finance, Goodall Gondwe is 82 years old and desperately campaigning to remain Minister after the elections.

Goodall Gondwe
Payment will be made after verification exercise

Gondwe is so old, he can’t remember the definition of a baby. He calls 45 year old Vice President, Dr. Saulos Chilima, a baby just because he is a threat to his continuation of a ministerial job at 82! He doesn’t want to retire. If God blesses  Gondwe, he will be 90 years old in 8 years and 100 years old in just 18 years. That’s how old he is. Why can’t this old man retire and play with his grand children?

The reason is simple. He wants to continue helping his fellow old man Mutharika with suspicious government transactions. These old men want to rip Malawi off before they die. They don’t care what happens to the country because soon they will die. They won’t be there in 30 years.

Gondwe is so crooked and not ashamed of lying to achieve crooked deals that benefit DPP and Peter Mutharika’s cronies. Last year, he was caught red handed planning to spend about K4 billion on 86 constituencies belonging to members of Parliament who voted against the Electoral Reforms Bill, without Parliament’s authority. Asked where he got the money which was not budgeted for such spending, he shamelessly said the money came from “somewhere”. Typical crook!

Gondwe as Minister of Finance, suspiciously engaged a public relations (PR) firm to publish articles in a magazine which cost the taxpayer about K295 million.

The firm was engaged without a contract or seeking authority of the Office of the Director of Public Procurement (ODPP). According Weekend Nation Newspaper, Director of Information Bright Molande confirmed the ministry received an invoice for K295 million from Business Outlook but denied formally engaging them to render services to the ministry.

The paper quoted Molande as saying. “That is true that a bill has to be settled with Business Outlook. But I should say that as a ministry we did not hire the services of this company. They just came on their own with an offer that seemed innocent only to realise that there were costs involved.” Embarrassingly stupid  and obviously suspicious!

Reportedly, the Ministry of Finance spokesperson Nations Msowoya disowned the transaction on behalf of Treasury. “We have checked around with all relevant sections that work on these things at the ministry but we are not aware of this particular transaction,” he said. However, Minister of Finance Goodall Gondwe, confirmed the transaction and agreement. The differences in the story between Molande, Msowoya and Gondwe shows the agreement and transaction was work of mafias siphoning tax payers money from treasury.

The government, led by Gondwe and Mutharika controversially and suspiciously sold state-owned Malawi Savings Bank (MSB) to FDH Financial Holdings, a Malawian commercial bank, for MK9.6bn (US$21.1m). The bank was sold although it was owed billions of Kwachas.

Until now, government is failing to collect K4.9 billion in loans that Mulli-owned companies obtained from MSB. Mulli, a die hard ruling DPP member, is the largest beneficiary of the K6 billion toxic loans government took over from MSB. Mulli obtained K4.9 billion from the bank while other firms owed over K660 million. It’s reported that four years after government set up the special recovery vehicle to collect the K6 billion, no single tambala has been recovered.

As Minister of Finance, when asked about the falling state of the economy, Gondwe has always said the economy with improve ‘next year’. After lying many times Gondwe finally said we should put our economy in God’s hands. At 82, he puts our economy in God’s hands, It just shows he has no ideas to improve the economy, he has no energy, he is too old and must retire.

These old crooked people must leave the country to capable young men who have fresh ideas and are concerned about the future of this country. They have stolen enough. Please retire! Malawi government is not a retirement home for crooked and opportunistic old men!

Disclaimer: Views expressed in this article are not necessarily the views of the Publisher or the Editor of Maravi Post

 

 

Opinion, Top News

Malawi does not need interventionists, we need leaders that solve upcoming problems

MaraviPost

Peter Mutharika
Malawi President Peter Mutharika

Thank you Your Excellency President Peter Mutharika for intervening in the teachers’ crisis over late salary and unpaid leave grants.

The Malawi we have in this part of the century, does not need interventionist leadership, because in our understanding it looks like you are playing mind games with the citizens, testing how hot and cold water can be if you choose to give deaf ears to the concerns of the citizenry.

This has proved the way you have handled the issue of corruption in the country, as well as the Chancellor College closure that is getting into one year now. Continue reading Malawi does not need interventionists, we need leaders that solve upcoming problems →