By Chisomo Phiri
Attorney General (AG) Frank Mbeta says the rise of arbitration in the country is becoming a key pillar in efforts to strengthen the justice system and accelerate economic reform.
Speaking at the opening of a two-day professional arbitration training organised by the Malawi International Arbitration Centre (MIAC) in partnership with the Africa Arbitration Centre (AAA) in Lilongwe on Thursday, Mbeta said the government increasingly views alternative dispute resolution as a strategic driver of competitiveness and investor confidence.
The AG noted that embracing structured arbitration processes is not simply a legal formality but a practical step toward reducing business costs, resolving disputes efficiently, and easing congestion in the courts.
Said Mbeta:“The government’s support is not sporadic; it stems from the understanding that effective institutions and predictable dispute-resolution frameworks are vital for Malawi’s long-term economic transformation.”
MIAC board chairperson Patrick Mpaka echoed Mbeta’s sentiment, adding that as Malawi charts its path toward private sector–led development under Malawi 2063, there is a growing need for stronger, professionally managed arbitration systems.
“Although MIAC is grounded in international arbitration, domestic arbitration must also shift from ad hoc practices to full institutionalisation through bodies like MIAC if Malawi’s arbitration landscape is to match global standards,” said Mpaka.
The virtual training marked MIAC’s first independently organised programme since separating its operational activities from its founding institutions,the Malawi Law Society (MLS) and the Malawi Confederation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (MCCCI).
