In a development widely interpreted as a vote of confidence in President Lazarus Chakwera’s administration, the European Union (EU) and the Government of Egypt on Monday formalized stronger bilateral ties with Malawi, pledging new streams of cooperation and support for the Malawi Congress Party (MCP)-led government going forward.
At Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe, President Chakwera received Letters of Credence from two newly accredited envoys: Mrs. Rasha Hamday Hussein from the Arab Republic of Egypt and Mr. Daniel Aristi Gaztelumendi, the EU Ambassador Designate to Malawi.
The ceremony, coming just hours before Malawians headed to the polls in a tightly contested election, underscored the trust key international partners continue to place in Chakwera’s leadership, despite attempts by the opposition to cast doubt on his government’s record.
Speaking after presenting her credentials, Egyptian envoy Rasha Hamday Hussein said discussions with President Chakwera were wide-ranging and focused on practical cooperation in critical sectors.
“We have agreed to work more in the areas of infrastructure, energy, agriculture, and health. The first task will be to register Egyptian medicine in the Malawian market and also to cooperate in dams, roads, and bridges development, alongside health training programs,” she said, emphasizing Egypt’s readiness to deliver tangible projects under Chakwera’s leadership.
Foreign Affairs Minister Nancy Tembo highlighted that Malawi and Egypt are expanding their already cordial relations into new areas such as military cooperation, irrigation farming expertise, and mining.
“We want to take a step further in areas such as agriculture, mining, military cooperation, and irrigation farming. Egypt’s expertise will be crucial in supporting Malawi’s development agenda,” said Tembo.
The EU envoy, Mr. Gaztelumendi, meanwhile reaffirmed the EU’s political and development partnership with Malawi, noting that Brussels remains committed to strengthening cooperation with the Chakwera administration beyond today’s elections.
Diplomatic sources at the Palace described the EU’s engagement as “a clear signal” of continuity, stability, and trust in Chakwera’s administration at a time when the MCP is seeking re-election. The EU has previously been one of Malawi’s largest partners in governance, agriculture, and energy financing, with several programs tied directly to reforms championed by Chakwera since 2020.
Analysts say the timing of the dual credential ceremonies is politically significant. With the elections concluding today, the move by both Egypt and the EU projects confidence in the administration’s continuity, sending a message that Chakwera remains a reliable partner on the global stage.
Since taking office in 2020, Chakwera has prioritized rebuilding Malawi’s international profile, courting investment and aid, while securing stronger bilateral and multilateral ties. His government has overseen renewed partnerships with the United States, China, the EU, and African powers such as South Africa, Kenya, and Egypt.
For Egypt, the cooperation agenda reflects Cairo’s growing interest in Africa’s inland states, particularly in infrastructure, agriculture, and health. For the EU, it underscores Europe’s determination to consolidate democracy and governance in Malawi through support to a reform-minded administration.
The opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has campaigned on claims that Malawi’s international standing has weakened under Chakwera, but the latest moves by Cairo and Brussels undercut that narrative. Instead, Monday’s ceremony reinforced the notion that Malawi’s foreign partners see continuity with the MCP administration as key to ongoing collaboration.
In political circles, the pledges from Egypt and the EU are being read as “last-minute endorsements” of the Chakwera government’s capacity to deliver on its promises of reform, stability, and development.
With ballots being cast, the new pledges of trust from two major international partners influence public perceptions of Malawi’s place in the world, and by extension, confidence in Chakwera’s administration which is likely to secure new mandate today.
