Msaka to Universities - Start Earning Malawi Dollars to Copy Zambia's Forex Model

Malawi's Minister of Education, Science and Technology, Bright Msaka, has thrown down a demanding challenge to the nation's higher learning institutions, urging them to revamp their programs and position themselves as active generators of foreign exchange. Speaking during a public sector reform commitment signing ceremony in Blantyre, Msaka stressed that universities must look beyond traditional funding models and tap into the lucrative market of international education. Highlighting regional dynamics, the minister pointed directly to Zambia as a benchmark of success. He noted that a significant number of Malawian students routinely cross the border to pursue tertiary education in Zambia, where they pay their tuition fees in hard currency. Msaka argued that there is no structural reason why Malawi cannot capture similar international student inflows by upgrading its academic infrastructure, improving service delivery, and enhancing global competitiveness. The call comes at a time when several Southern African nations are grappling with persistent macroeconomic pressures, particularly foreign exchange shortages. By turning universities into export-oriented service hubs, governments hope to alleviate some of these monetary strains while simultaneously driving up academic standards. Institutional leaders present at the ceremony acknowledged the weight of the challenge, outlining various internal reform agendas aimed at revenue diversification, digital transformation, and long-term financial sustainability. Among them, Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS) Vice-Chancellor Associate Professor Nancy Chitera highlighted ongoing efforts to shift away from short-term project funding toward durable strategic partnerships. Similarly, Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST) Vice-Chancellor Associate Professor Mwapasa Mipando emphasized process efficiency and rigorous corporate governance as pillars for future growth. As these institutions