By Chisomo Phiri
United Transformation Movement (UTM) president Dalitso Kabambe says his academic qualifications and economics experience make him the most suitable candidate to lead the country out of its current economic challenges.
In an interview with 247 Malawi News, Kabambe stressed the importance of matching leadership roles with relevant education and technical expertise.
He said just as companies hire specialists to solve technical problems, the nation needs a president whose education and skills directly align with the country’s biggest challenges.
Kabambe detailed his academic journey, which includes a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics from the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR ), a Master’s degree in Development Economics from Imperial College in London, one of the world’s leading universities and a PhD in Development Economics from the same institution.
He argued that these qualifications equip him with specialised knowledge to manage and grow the economy of a developing country like Malawi.
“It is good to have an economist as president, but it is best to have one who specialises in development economics and agricultural economics, given that Malawi’s economy depends heavily on agriculture,” he said.
Kabambe criticised the current state of the economy, pointing to persistent shortages of fuel and foreign exchange, rising prices, food insecurity, poverty, and high unemployment.
He recalled that under former president Bingu wa Mutharika, himself an economist, Malawi experienced rapid economic growth and even ranked as the second-fastest growing economy in the world at the time.
Turning to his work experience, Kabambe emphasised that academic qualifications must be complemented by ‘hands-on experience.’
He said his professional record in economic management, particularly during his tenure as Governor of the Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) from 2017 to 2020, speaks for itself.
“When I arrived at RBM in 2017, the institution was making losses, inflation stood at 22 percent, and interest rates were high.
“Within that year, I reduced inflation to 18 percent and posted a profit of K7 billion. Over four years, I maintained the kwacha’s stability at K732.40 to the US dollar, brought inflation down to 7 percent by 2020, increased foreign exchange reserves from two weeks of import cover to six months, and reduced interest rates from around 20 percent to 12 percent,”.
The UTM leader contrasted this with the period before his appointment, when inflation was high, foreign reserves were low, and the RBM was posting losses.
“This is my record.The work of my own hands,” he said.
In closing, Kabambe urged voters to choose leaders with proven capacity to fix the nation’s economic problems.
“If you are struggling with legal issues, you go to a lawyer. If you are sick, you go to a doctor.But if your problem is lack of forex, rising prices, unemployment, hunger, and stagnant business, come to me. I will not waste your time within two years, we will fix the system and set Malawi on the path to prosperity,” he said.