Vice President of the Republic of Malawi Justice Dr. Jane Mayemu Ansah SC (retired) officially opened the 2026 Lakeshore Business Leaders’ Summit with a strong call for governance and accountability in Malawi’s industrialisation drive, warning that inconsistent policy frameworks continue to raise the cost of doing business.
Speaking before delegates drawn from government, private sector and development partners, Ansah stressed the importance of structured public–private collaboration.
“Industrialisation must deliver measurable results, not just ambition,” she said. “Investors need to trust that the rules will not change overnight. Policy certainty is not optional — it is the foundation of competitiveness.”
The Vice President urged ministries to align incentives with transparent approval processes, noting that unpredictable regulations discourage investment and undermine Malawi’s credibility in regional markets.
In his remarks, Minister of Industrialisation, Business, Trade and Tourism Simon Itaye commended MCCCI for convening the Summit.
“Public and private leaders are two hands weaving the same national fabric,” he said. “This engagement is vital if our country is to move forward.”
He highlighted the Summit’s theme — “Leading with Purpose: Harnessing the Power of Transparency and Accountability” — as resonating strongly with government’s development agenda. “A transparent and accountable business environment is fundamental to enhancing investor confidence, improving competitiveness, and driving inclusive economic growth,” Itaye said.
The Minister assured delegates that government remains committed to reforms that promote ease of doing business, strengthen regulatory efficiency, and create a level playing field. He urged the private sector to uphold high standards of corporate governance, integrity, and responsible business conduct, noting that “in the economy of the future, collaboration is the most vital currency.”
Itaye also pointed to the four breakaway policy engagement sessions, covering Industrialisation, Business, Trade and Tourism; Energy and Mining; and Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development and Cross Cutting Issues, as opportunities to align policies with sectoral needs and drive actionable strategies.
“When public vision meets private innovation, nations move from potential to progress,” he said.
On his part MCCCI Immediate Past President Dr. Wisely Phiri echoed the Vice President’s concerns, observing that the private sector is ready to invest but requires trust in the system. “The business community is prepared to take risks, but it cannot do so in an environment where rules shift without warning,” he said.
Phiri emphasised that predictable policies and transparent governance are critical for competitiveness, adding that the Chamber will continue to engage government constructively to ensure reforms translate into tangible results.
