The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has appointed Malawian civil engineer Mtchera Johannes Chirwa as Director of its Water and Sanitation Department, in a move that has sparked optimism over renewed investment prospects for Malawi’s water infrastructure.
Chirwa, who has over three decades of experience in infrastructure and development finance, becomes one of the few Malawians to hold a top leadership role within the Bank.
He had been serving as Acting Director since August 2024, having previously coordinated the African Water Facility — a key funding platform supporting water and sanitation projects across the continent.
AfDB President Akinwumi Adesina described Chirwa as “a seasoned expert with deep knowledge of development challenges and high ability for managing strategic partnerships”.
His appointment positions him at the forefront of shaping Africa’s water investment landscape at a time when many countries, including Malawi, are grappling with climate stress, population growth, and outdated infrastructure.
Chirwa’s rise comes as Malawi faces mounting pressure to expand access to clean water and sanitation. Government data shows that nearly 40 percent of Malawians still lack access to basic drinking water services, with rural areas most affected.
WaterAid Malawi country director Peter Phiri has welcomed the appointment as a potential turning point for the country.
“Mr Chirwa’s appointment presents a strategic opportunity for Malawi to accelerate progress in water and sanitation, particularly in underserved areas,” he said via WhatsApp. “His deep understanding of our national context means AfDB initiatives can be better aligned with local priorities.”
Phiri also highlighted the potential for institutional strengthening under Chirwa’s leadership. “We see opportunities for capacity-building and knowledge transfer that could improve regulatory frameworks and technical readiness in the sector,” he said.
Malawi has long struggled to mobilise adequate resources for large-scale infrastructure.
He further identified weak regulatory systems and limited technical capacity as major obstacles to implementation, and urged the government to proactively position itself for AfDB support.
“Malawi must focus on developing bankable projects — those with clear objectives, feasibility studies, and sustainability plans. Alignment with AfDB’s strategic goals and inclusive stakeholder engagement will be key to unlocking funding,” said Phiri.
Chirwa, a registered civil engineer, began his career in Malawi’s public service before joining the World Bank and later the AfDB, where he helped develop the institution’s first PPP Strategic Framework in 2022.
He holds a master’s degree in construction project management from the University of Wolverhampton and a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Malawi.
In a statement, Chirwa pledged to continue supporting sustainable solutions across Africa. “Improving access to water and sanitation, and developing water resources for food and energy security, are core priorities. I remain fully committed to improving the quality of life for people across our continent,” he said.
As the continent moves to address growing water insecurity, Chirwa’s leadership may offer Malawi a critical window to secure long-term financing and elevate its infrastructure agenda within Africa’s broader development framework.
