By Linda Kwanjana

After two years of aggressive modernization and strategic growth at the helm of the Malawi Confederation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (MCCCI), Dr. Wisely Phiri has announced he will not seek a second term as President of the chamber.

Dr. Phiri, who assumed the presidency on April 26, 2024, is widely credited with revitalizing the Chamber’s authority as the premier voice of Malawi’s private sector.

In an interview, Dr. Phiri – who owns Sparc Systems Limited a multinational IT company driving digital transformation across Africa – confirmed the development, saying he has done his part and he was leaving MCCCI in good shape.

“Indeed I will not be seeking the second team as President of the Chamber. It has been a privilege to lead this institution over the past two years, a period marked by robust growth across all our subdivisions,” Phiri said adding;

“Together, we have achieved significant milestones and the data speaks for itself;—from advancing policy advocacy and advancing the redevelopment of the Chichiri Trade Fair grounds into an SME hub, to securing a 36% increase in revenue growth through membership expansion.”

Phiri further said the strategic international collaborations he spearheaded, notably membership with the International Chamber of Commerce, helped to strengthen not only the chamber’s reginal but also global standing.

“Despite the national economic challenges encountered, the Chamber’s core lobbying efforts and subsectors have shown remarkable resilience, and I transition from this role with great pride in our collective success.” Dr. Phiri said.

Under his leadership, MCCCI achieved landmark milestones, including securing forex waivers for exporters, growing the membership base by nearly 50%, and increasing revenue by 36% through digital transformation and operational efficiency.

Notably, he oversaw the recovery and rebranding of the Malawi International Trade Fair, which saw a surge in participation by over 50% in 2025.

He also was at the herm of the operationalization of the Malawi International Arbitration Center (MIAC) where he represented the interest of the private sector as a Director.

Dr. Phiri, a tech visionary who founded Sparc Systems at just 29 years old, stated that he has fulfilled his primary mission to institutionalize resilience and inclusivity within MCCCI.

He said he now intends to dedicate his full focus on his multi-million-dollar enterprise, Sparc Systems Limited, which has expanded its footprint across several African countries.

“Dr. Phiri has done his part in laying a digital and policy foundation for the future,” noted an industry analyst. “His departure marks the end of a transformative era, as he returns to lead one of Malawi’s most successful multinational tech firms.”