The office of His Royal Highness Sheikh Ahmed Al-Qassimi says he is in a working partnership with the Malawi Government.
In a press statement which his office released on Sunday, the working agreement remains intact.
According to a statement that was dully signed by the President of the Board Dr. Marcin Lapa, His Royal Highness Sheikh Ahmed Al-Qassimi identified sustainable solutions and drive towards long-term growth.
He said his office is aware that Malawi is currently facing several critical challenges that impact its development trajectory.
According to the statement, these include limited access to essential resources like fuel, fertilizer, and food, alongside significant issues in the energy sector and a scarcity of hard currency (US dollars).
This lack of foreign reserves hampers Malawi’s ability to secure vital commodities, putting pressure on both its economy and the wellbeing of its people.
“In our efforts to support Malawi, we have formed a strategic partnership with the government, leading to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to formalize collaboration,” He says.
According to Sheikh , the partnership was established after thorough discussions to identify the most critical challenges the country faces.
“Our close collaboration with the President’s Office, various ministries, and key stakeholders has allowed us to formulate a comprehensive strategy aimed at addressing the country’s most pressing needs,” reads part of the statement.
The Office of Sheikh Ahmed Al-Qassimi, a distinguished member of the ruling family of Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, operates with a singular mission, which is to foster economic development and social progress through innovative and impactful investments while focusing on sectors critical to the advancement of developing nations, such as energy, natural resources, agriculture, and infrastructure.
The Office of Sheikh Ahmed Al-Qassimi, believe in long-term solutions aimed at addressing not only immediate needs but also the underlying structural challenges that countries face.
The project is designed to create lasting economic opportunities, improve food security, promote technological advancement, and ensure the efficient use of resources in the countries where we operate.
In a major step towards empowering smallholder farmers in Thyolo, Malawi, Solidaridad has provided over 80,000 tea seedlings to more than 1,000 farmers across two tea growers associations (Chizunga and Msuwazi), as well as Mtendere cooperative.
Solidaridad Southern Africa is part of the global Solidaridad network, which is dedicated to promoting social justice and sustainability in supply chains. The organization works across the region to improve livelihoods, support gender equality, and promote environmentally sustainable practices.
In addition to the seedlings, Solidaridad supported these farmers with tea nursery construction and management materials such as wires, hoes, shovels, wheelbarrows, watering cans, planting pots, nails, and fertilizers. Solidaridad is also offering training on nursery management to equip them with the knowledge of good nursery management practices so they can produce good quality tea seedlings.
This is to address the challenge faced by smallholder farmers of lacking access to good quality seedlings which can help them produce more quality tea with the likelihood of being sold at a good price. Most of the tea growers still have old varieties, which result in low production and poor-quality tea leaves. By offering farmers construction materials, fertilizer, and essential training to boost productivity, it helps to bridge the gap in resource access, and create sustainable livelihoods in Malawi’s tea sector.
Bridging the Gap: Providing Vital Resources to Farmers
Tea seedlings are often expensive and difficult to source for smallholder farmers. Solidaridad’s support aims to bridge this gap by delivering over 80,000 high-quality seedlings, giving farmers the means to expand and improve their tea crops. This initiative is designed to help farmers boost their production and overcome the financial barriers that previously limited their growth.
“Many smallholder farmers simply don’t have the financial means to purchase quality seedlings. By providing these seedlings, along with construction materials and fertilizer, we are enabling farmers to increase their productivity and improve their livelihoods in a sustainable way,” says Given Phiri, Country Manager for Solidaridad (Malawi).
Sustainable Farming Through Training and Resources
Beyond the provision of seedlings, Solidaridad is investing in the long-term sustainability of the tea sector by offering specialized training and resources. Farmers are learning how to manage their crops more efficiently, using modern techniques that enhance productivity and environmental sustainability. The construction materials provided also allow farmers to build storage facilities and infrastructure, helping prevent post-harvest losses.
“Providing seedlings is just one part of the solution. Farmers also need the skills and resources to cultivate and maintain their crops effectively,” explains Misozi Magaleta, Project Manager Pathways to Prosperity (P2P) Tea. “The training and materials we provide are essential in ensuring that the farmers can realize the full potential of their tea fields and support their families,” adds Magaleta.
Promoting Gender Inclusivity in Malawi’s Tea Sector
Solidaridad’s initiative includes a strong emphasis on gender inclusivity, ensuring that women farmers are fully integrated and empowered in this process. “Empowering women in agriculture is key to driving inclusive growth in Malawi,” said Precious Greehy, Head of Gender and Youth at Solidaridad. “By ensuring that women have equal access to resources and training, we are creating opportunities for them to thrive and actively participate in the decision-making processes within their communities,” continued Greehy.
“Women play a critical role in tea farming in Malawi and often they are the ones performing the majority of labor in the fields. However, they frequently face challenges in accessing quality resources, training, and market opportunities, which limits their potential for economic empowerment. This initiative actively addresses these barriers by ensuring that women tea farmers have equitable access to seedlings, training on nursery management, and resources needed to establish and sustain successful tea enterprises,” added Nozipho Ndlovu, Regional Programme Manager of the Reclaim Sustainability Tea Program at Solidaridad.
Impacting Lives
This initiative is part of Solidaridad’s broader commitment to creating sustainable supply chains that are prosperous, inclusive, and in balance with nature. As demonstrated in Solidaridad’s theory of change, the program not only benefits farmers and workers but also strengthens supportive business ecosystems and enabling policy environments.
Through good practices, market uptake, and collaborative stakeholder engagement, Solidaridad is helping to build resilient supply chains that improve livelihoods and promote sustainability across the region. By empowering farmers, fostering inclusivity, and supporting sustainable frameworks, Solidaridad’s efforts are driving positive, systemic change within Malawi’s tea sector and across Southern Africa at large.
Maxwell Phodo’s first half goal proved decisive for the defending champions FCB Nyasa Big Bullets as the People’s team beat Mafco FC 1-0 at Kamuzu Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Phodo broke the deadlock with a beautiful finish after being released by Babatunde Adepoju in the 15th minute.
Mafco almost got an equaliser in the 33rd minute through Mphatso Phillimon but his shot was beautifully saved by Bullets goalkeeper Innocent Nyasulu.
Phodo almost doubled the lead in the 41st minute but his shot went over the crossbar and it ended 1-nil in the first half.
Bullets players celebrating
In the second half both sides had a number of chances and Bullets’ first clear chance came in the 55th minute through former Mzuzu City Hammers midfielder Victor Lungu.
Lungu made a brilliant run towards the penalty box before releasing a powerful shot that went over the crossbar.
Five minutes later, Mafco had a chance to level the scores but Mphatso Phillimon’s header from a free-kick went over the bar.
Lungu had another chance to register his name on the score-sheet after receiving a cross from Crispin Mapemba but his header went wide for a goal kick.
Tempers got frayed towards the end of the match as the soldiers started acting tough in the closing minutes injuring Bullets player, Victor Lungu in the process.
After the match, Lungu who was substituted following the injury was voted man of the match as his side managed to defend their slender lead to get maximum points.
Despite the win Bullets remain third on the log table with 37 points, seven points behind City rivals Mighty Mukuru Wanderers who are perched on second position with 44 points.
Elsewhere, Premier Bet Dedza Dynamos ended their poor run of results with a convincing 3-nil win over Mighty Tigers at Dedza Stadium.
The home side scored through Edward Dakalira, Ibrahim Sadik and Lennox Kiwambe.
The win has taken Dedza to position 11 with 27 points from 22 games while Tigers remain on 12th position with 24 points after playing 23 games.
In Lilongwe Kamuzu Barracks(KB) suffered a 2-nil home defeat against Mzuzu City Hammers at Civo Stadium with goals coming from Chimwemwe Chunga and Akeem Abioye.
Hammers are fourth on the log table with 36 points from 23 games and KB are on position 6 with 34 points after playing 24 matches.
Silver Strikers remain top on the log table with 49 points from 21 games and Baka City are anchoring the log table with 8 points after playing 22 games.
Malawi Congress Party Secretary General Richard Chimwendo Banda has assured Malawians that President Dr Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera will continue equal distribution of development projects regardless of regional , political and tribe lineage.
Addressing a political rally in Mgona area , Senior Chief Chitukula in Lilongwe, Chimwendo said Chakwera has demonstrated to be the only leader who has managed to distribute National developmental package equally.
Chimwendo, Chithyola and Mkaka
The SG gave an example of projects like railway line being built in Lowershire connecting Blantryre.
Chimwendo also gave examples of beautiful roads under construction in Zomba , Blanytre , Mzuzu and other districts.
Chimwendo stressed that the President is going no where.
“The President is ready to continue what he is doing. He is building infrastructure across the country without segregation. Is implementing infrastructure development across the country from Nsanje to Chitipa,” He said.
He said, “Talk about railways, talk about roads, talk about bridges, he is doing. He is doing construction of modern facilities, like, University, such as Mbelwa university , on hunger Chakwera is bringing mega farms. Is making sure the message is very clear that one bag of fertilizer is not enough. We must start growing maize for commercial purposes, and then we end hunger in the country because we can’t sell before getting enough for ourselves,” he said.
On education, Chimwendo said Government is constructing school blocks accross the country as well as promoting and motivating teachers.
During the rally Member of Parliament for Lilongwe City Centre Constituency Alfred Jiya, rebuked people of Mgona for destruction of bridge which connect Mgona to Kanengo.
Jiya commended President Dr Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera for the development projects happening in his constituency such as roads.
During the ongoing Malawi Congress Party (MCP) rally at Mgona in Lilongwe, Alfred Jiya, the councilor for the Lilongwe City Centre constituency, expressed his satisfaction with various developments achieved by the government in the area. Jiya highlighted key infrastructure improvements, including roads, bridges, and schools, as evidence of the progress made under President Lazarus Chakwera’s leadership.
Jiya praised the construction of new roads, specifically mentioning the ongoing expansion of the dual carriageway from Area 18 to Area 50, as well as developments in the Shire area. He stated, “Currently, the leadership of this country under Lazarus Chakwera is working tirelessly to enhance our road networks. The people here are happy with these developments.”
Alfred Jiya
Despite the positive sentiment, Jiya also voiced concerns regarding the behavior of some individuals who are sabotaging these developments. He lamented the theft of construction materials, specifically pointing out the disappearance of metal components intended for road infrastructure. “It is disheartening to see some individuals stealing vital construction materials that are meant to benefit the community. We must all take responsibility for safeguarding our developments,” he emphasized.
Jiya’s comments reflect a broader concern regarding community responsibility and the need for collective efforts to protect public resources. His remarks resonate with the rally’s theme of progress and the importance of ensuring that developmental gains are not undermined by criminal activities.
As the rally continues, it serves as a platform for political leaders like Jiya to engage with their constituents, celebrating achievements while addressing challenges that need to be collectively resolved. The MCP rally at Mgona is not just about political alignment but also about fostering a sense of community ownership over the progress being made in Lilongwe City Centre and beyond.
