Evidence for Transformation
MwAPATA Institute
The MwAPATA Institute is an independent agricultural policy think tank in Malawi. The Institute is engaging the Government of Malawi, private sector, and civil society stakeholders in a program of applied policy analysis, policy outreach, capacity building, and policy coordination. MwAPATA was established with a grant from the Foundation for a Smoke-Free World via Michigan State University and continues with the support of various strategic partners.
RECENT EVENTS
NEW RESEARCH
MwAPATA Participates in the 4th Africa Food Systems Transformation Meeting
The MwAPATA Institute, National Planning Commission of Malawi (NPC) and the Ministry of Agriculture participated in the 4th Africa Food Systems Transformation Meeting held in Accra, Ghana from Monday, 18th May 2026 to Wednesday, 20th May 2026. Minister of Agriculture Hon Roza Fatch Mbilizi participated as the Convenor of the Malawi Food Systems Team, accompanied by a delegation including Dr Andrew Jamali, the Acting Director of Knowledge and Learning at NPC; MwAPATA Research Fellow, Dr Anderson Sawira Gondwe; and Mr Mphatso Chiwewe, Chief Economist at the Ministry of Agriculture.
The 4th Africa Food Systems Transformation Meeting aimed to build on national and regional food systems momentum, bringing attention to topics and best practices to catalyse food systems transformation goals, strategies and actions. The Meeting also connected and aligned demand-driven responses and country support initiatives from the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub and from the broader Ecosystem of Support, including UN agencies, Coalitions of Action, civil society, the private sector, academia, and other partners.
The participants at the meeting highlighted practical, needs-based opportunities for coordinated collaboration and partnerships among the food systems ecosystem of support. There was also a knowledge compendium of replicable country experiences, investment models, and policy instruments to inform Africa-led policy processes as well as global processes.
Stay Informed on Research Releases
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Soil Health Frameworks in Agri-food Systems: A Review
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​​​Do Land Reforms Promote Equity in Land Rental Market Participation? Evidence from Malawi​
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​Does accessing multiple social support programmes improve household resilience and food security?
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​Policy Lessons for Localising the Food Systems Transformation Agenda in Malawi
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​Malawi Public Agricultural Expenditure Review
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Healthy foods cost more and differ by Region in Sub-Saharan Africa: A meta-analysis
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​In the News
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Experts warn Malawi’s Trade restrictions risk undermining long-term Agricultural growth
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Research urges Malawi to bundle social support programmes to boost food security
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MwAPATA urges urgent action on Malawi’s soil crisis
Malawi needs to enhance organic fertilizer usage
Outdated forestry fees limit Malawi’s potential
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Conference calls for agri-food systems boost
Youth participation in agriculture still a pain-point for Malawi
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​Banana faces uncertain future, study shows
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Land reform pace affects agriculture
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Rapid Evidence and Policy Dialogue on Agricultural Trade Restrictions in Malawi
On 21st April 2026, the MwAPATA Institute convened a Rapid Evidence and Policy Dialogue on Agricultural Trade Restrictions in Malawi. The dialogue, held at Sunbird Capital Hotel in Lilongwe, was organised in collaboration with the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR) and supported by the Africa Network of Agricultural Policy Research Institutes (ANAPRI).
The event brought together stakeholders in trade and related issues to discuss and expand the scope and address the knowledge gaps left by the MwAPATA Institute’s recent study on the potential impacts of export mandates on Malawi’s economy and development trajectory on an “ex-ante” basis. The stakeholders shared more extensive insights required to quantify the impacts of broader trade restrictions beyond those of export mandates. Read more. ​Watch the event's video here.
