Honourable Joel Chigona

PROFILE 
Honourable Joel Salvatore Chigona Minister of Labour, Skills and Innovation – Republic of Malawi Honourable Joel Salvatore Chigona is the current Minister of Labour, Skills and Innovation in the Republic of Malawi. He is a seasoned Malawian business professional with extensive experience in management, marketing, and customer service. He holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Liverpool John Moores University in the United Kingdom. Prior to that, he obtained a Professional Diploma in Marketing (CIM) from Kaplan Finance, and successfully completed a Chartered (CPD) Programme, reflecting his commitment to continuous professional development. Before joining Government, Honourable Chigona built a successful career in the petroleum and service industry, where he demonstrated strong leadership, strategic planning, and operational management capabilities. His professional background has equipped him with practical insights into business growth, workforce development, and customer-focused innovation. As Minister of Labour, Skills and Innovation, Honourable Chigona is responsible for strengthening Malawi’s labour force, promoting technical and vocational skills development, and fostering innovation to support the country’s economic ransformation agenda. He brings to his ministerial role a unique blend of academic excellence, private-sector leadership experience, and public service dedication — positioning him as a key driver of Malawi’s vision for inclusive, skills driven, and innovation-led growth.

Nwazi Tamanya Mnthambala

Nwazi Tamanya Mnthambala is a seasoned public financial management professional and administrator with over 30 years of distinguished service in the Malawi Civil Service. She has served in various senior portfolios in Government including as Deputy Accountant General, Director of Finance, Comptroller of Statutory Corporations, Secretary for Reforms, Secretary for Energy , Secretary for Industry and Principal Secretary for Finance & Administration at the Ministry of Gender, Community Development & Social Welfare. She is currently serving as the Secretary for Labour where her leadership is pivotal in advancing key Labour reforms and to develop and create decent jobs for socioeconomic development.

Her career reflects a remarkable blend of strategic leadership, financial expertise, and innovative reform. With extensive experience in senior government roles, she has contributed to public service transformations, pension reform enactments, and the strengthening of corporate governance. An MBA graduate from the University of Manchester and a holder of FCCA and CPA (MW) qualifications, Ms. Mnthambala has consistently championed transparency and accountability in government financial operations.

Recognized for her progressive vision and collaborative approach, she has led initiatives focused on resource mobilization for national economic empowerment and the implementation of performance monitoring systems for parastatals. Notably, as one of the only two female Comptrollers of Statutory Corporations, she has broken barriers and set new standards in public administration and financial management.

Mr. Hlalerwayo Nyangulu

Mr. Nyangulu is the Labour Commissioner for the Ministry of Labour and started working for the civil Service on 7^th June 1991. He has 30 years of experience in the Civil Service of which 28 years was on Employment and Labour Matters. Mr. Nyangulu has a Master’s degree in occupational safety and health obtained from Turin University, Italy, a Master of Science from Bournemouth University, United Kingdom and a Bachelor of Science Degree obtained from the University of Malawi, Chancellor College. He was born on 30^th June 1968.

Mr. Richard Nkhalambayausi Chirwa

Mr. Richard Nkhalambayausi Chirwa is the Director of Technical and Vocational Training, he has the oversight responsibility of; initiating development and review of policies in technical, entrepreneurial and vocational education and training (TEVET), interpreting TEVET policies, and managing and controlling provision of programmes in TEVET institutions. To make sure that TEVET is equitably accessed, and to ensure a high quality, skilled, employable and productive workforce necessary for socio-economic development.

Before becoming the Director, he served the TEVET sub-sector in various capacities such as; Welding and Fabrication instructor, Head of Engineering Department, Deputy Principal and Deputy Director of Technical and Vocational Training. He has a proven record of policy influence, strategic leadership, and multi-sectoral collaboration, working, government ministries, government agencies, development partners, TEVET training providers and community structures.

His expertise spans strategic planning, policy analysis, resource mobilization, and organizational leadership.

Richard Chirwa has served at Senior Management level in Ministry of labour since 2012; well vest in project management and service delivery for human capital development, skilled in skills development policy interface and governance; with vast knowhow of Malawi’s TEVET sub-sector challenges, effective team player, highest level of communicating and reporting responsibilities and abilities.

He is a holder of International Masters in Public Policy and Administration from Tsinghua University of China, Bachelors of Arts (Teaching Studies) from Mzuzu University of Malawi, International Diploma of Educational Planning and Administration of India, and various Technical Qualifications in Welding and Fabrication.

Ms. Chifundo Lodzeni

Chifundo Lodzeni Ms, currently serving as a senior deputy director in the Department of Technical and Vocational Training, has been serving in the Ministry of Labour since 2008 in different portfolios as an experienced Lecturer, has a Bachelor of Arts in Education which was obtained at Catholic University in 2016 and Diploma in Education which was obtained from Domasi College of Education in 1997. She served as Deputy Director ( Community Technical Colleges) from September,  2021,Principal for Nasawa Technical College from 15 January,  2019, Deputy Principal from 2014 to 2021, Head of Department ( Commercial)from 2008 to 2014. Served in different portfolios with 35 years serving as a Civil Servant. Additional qualifications include CMI Level 5 in Leadership and Development by Southern Eastern College, Northern Island, UK, 2024. Advanced Project Management and Leadership at Pan African Institute of Management (PAMI) in South Africa, 2023, Certificate in Project Management at Management Development Institute, Manzini, Swaziland, 2013, Certificate in Proficiency Language and Communication, Aptech ( New Delhi, India) 2013, Certificate in Management of Technical and Vocational Education for Developing countries, Ningbo Polytechnic ( China) 2011, Certificate in Management and Leadership (UNMA, MUBAS in Conjunction with University of Regina, Canada at Management Development Centre, 2010 and Certificate in Management of Technical Entrepreneurial and Vocational Training ( STEP - UNESCO - EU) Skills and Technical Education Program in ☌ with Ministry of Labour and Malawi School of Government  ( Management Institute Development Centre, ESAMI,  Blantyre, Moneymen.

Achievements

- Coordinated training of female instructors in Leadership and Development in Technical Colleges by Southern Eastern College,  UK

- Co- Chair,  Competitive Grants Committee ( Skills for A Vibrant Economy (SAVE) Project, funded by World Bank

- Facilitated Code of Conduct and Gender Based Violence training for Staff and Students at Nasawa Technical College

- Counsellor, Career Giudance and Counselling

- Inducting members of Staff in Planning, Scheming and Assessment to implement TEVET Policy

- Orienting instructors on TEVET Policy

- Part of the team in Coordinating, Monitoring and Evaluation of Support Higher Education,  Science and Technology Project (HEST) funded by African Development Bank

- Coordinating Zantchito Jobs for Skills, establishment of Four Centres of Vocational Excellence,  funded by EU, implemented by British Council as Technical Assistant

Mr. Joseph Chirombo

Mr. George Chande

Mr. George Chande is a dedicated and reliable public service professional with strong experience in policy formulation and analysis, monitoring and evaluation, project planning, design, implementation, food security and rural livelihoods, agricultural development, rural finance and research. His professional experience spans twenty 27 years and he currently works as Director of Planning in the Ministry of Labour, Skills and Innovations. Before assuming this position, Mr. Chande has worked as Director of Policy, Office of the President and Cabinet, Deputy Director of Planning, Ministry of Agriculture Irrigation and Water Development, Deputy Director for Real Sector and Policy Analysis, Ministry of Economic Planning and Development, Deputy Director of Development and Policy, Ministry of Economic Planning and Development, Chief Economist, Principal Economist, Economist, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security. Mr. Chande holds MSc. Agricultural Economics from University of London, United Kingdom and Bachelor of Social Science from University of Malawi.

Mrs. Tasira Mwaupighu

Mrs. Linda Kawamba

Mrs. Linda Kawamba is the Assistant Labour Commissioner responsible for Industrial Relations in the Ministry of Labour and started working for the civil service on 17^th November 1998, and has been in the civil service for 23 years. Before joining the Civil Service Mrs Kawamba worked as a Moderator for National Democratic Institute (NDI) after graduation from the University of Malawi in 1997. Mrs Kawamba has a Master of Arts (Humana Rights Law) LLM Degree obtained from Queens University Belfast, Northern Ireland and a Bachelor of Arts (Humanities) Degree from the University of Malawi. She is passionate about her work as she finds it challenging and yet motivating especially now that the labour trends are evolving. MrsKawamba was born on 8^th March 1975

Ms. Ofwa Mary Alide

Ms. Ofwa Mary Alide is an accomplished Malawian lawyer with more than 20 years of experience providing high-level legal advisory services within the public sector and to corporate clients. A seasoned legal practitioner and member of the Malawi Bar since 1995, she has built a distinguished career in corporate law, regulatory compliance, governance, and company secretarial practice.

Currently serving as Director of Legal Services at the Ministry of Labour, Ofwa Mary Alide previously served in a key leadership role at the Malawi Gaming & Lotteries Authority, where she played a pivotal role in establishing legal and regulatory frameworks, drafting legislation, negotiating complex licences, and advising boards and executive teams. Her expertise spans commercial transactions, policy development, litigation, contract negotiation, regulatory systems design, and risk management.

She has extensive experience supporting boards and executive management, having served for many years as Company Secretary and as a board member across various public and private institutions. She has also worked in consultancy, helping organisations strengthen compliance structures, manage risk, and meet regulatory obligations.

Her academic background includes a Master’s degree in International Human Rights Law from the University of Essex and an LLB (Hons.) from the University of Malawi. She has also undertaken professional training in company secretarial practice and leadership.