Daisy Kambalame: (MCCCI) chief executive officer

Growing up with an economist father, Daisy Kambalame developed a passion for understanding economics and how the industry works.

It’s no surprise she’s one of the few female economists in Malawi.

Last year, she was appointed Malawi Confederation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (MCCCI) chief executive officer (CEO).

Kambalame is responsible for general management, strategy and high-level lobbying.

With two decades of experience working with public and private sector stakeholders, she is an experienced business counsellor and development specialist.

She confessed that seeing the CEO vacancy was interesting as she has always sought to understand and find ways to have an impact on the private sector.

“I have always worked in governance and agriculture. So for me, that was an interesting prospect. Through experience, I know a country cannot function if the private sector is not functioning,” she said.

The economist hinted that for a country to function, it needs good policies in Parliament and compassion from different sectors because the private sector will create opportunities and investments.

Kambalame  attributed the forex shortage in Malawi to a shrinking private sector which lacks creativity and value addition in exports.

She said: “For me, the role comes with understanding how to bring in different private sector voices for good policies. The chamber is still the biggest business platform that provides the biggest private sector voice in Malawi.

“And if we consolidate that voice and ensure uniformity, we can move some development agendas through forex exchange generation. “

With the experience she has in development, she has seen that there will always be limitations on how far the sector can grow and improve if there is no donor support.

Kambalame suggested that for the sector to grow, there is a need to create a thriving private sector to create business opportunities. And that’s what drives her to move on.

She also disclosed that the experience she gained in managing different platforms in her past positions prepared her for her current position.

“As I mentioned earlier, I focused on governance, working in partnership and agriculture in my past position. Government is focusing on the same which is in line with my expertise.

“In my previous roles, I understood challenges that investors face in investment. These investors will be my members, making our work easier.

“Coming to the chamber simply means working with different companies supplying to each another, so each one is trying to get the best deal. And overall as a business platform, we aspire for a thriving economy,” she narrated.

Kambalame also said as a chamber, they want to negotiate with the government on how the private sector can impact and create opportunities for a thriving economy.

She believes that the private sector can achieve great things with good leadership.

Her strategies to foster a more inclusive and diverse environment within MCCI are to creates room for transparency, making everyone feel they have a voice, increase membership and lobby for what they think should be done to move forward.

Kambalame also added that they are promoting engagement with small and medium-sized enterprises and entrepreneurs to support their growth and success.

“We have seen that we have promising entrepreneurs who can contribute to the rise of our economy. We are trying to help them understand how we can mentor them and include them in high-level meetings for them to have a voice.

“I always believe that people have potential and understanding the team I am working with is important for good results,” she said.

The chamber has been in existence for a while now and has achieved many things.

Kambalame believes that joining at this time when the economy is struggling is one of the challenges.

But she also believes that the challenge provides an opportunity for the business community to join forces and work together as one private sector, achieving great things and driving sustainable development and prosperity for the country.

She  also disclosed that it’s not easy being a woman leader because balancing family and work life is not easy.

Kambalame said: “You cannot satisfy everyone, but I live according to my principles, reflecting the person I am at church and the person I am at work.

“As a leader, I don’t need to be harsh to be heard, but I believe in fairness and ensuring that people understand my principles, expectations and values.”

She added that if people cannot conform to her principles and grow, it’s best to part ways.

“Achieving a work-life balance is tricky when you’re also a mother, but planning has helped me get to where I am,” she said.

Kambalame also noted that as a woman, there are expectations of being perfect, but she has accepted that it’s okay to fail sometimes.

For her, failure means a learning opportunity.

However, she also noted that society views single women as inadequate to lead.

She urges fellow women to stay determined and focused on their goals.

Looking back, her role as the firstborn taught her to focus as she always had the responsibility and expectation to perform.

This drove her to work hard and be determined.

Kambalame is grateful for her family and mother who opened their home open to everyone, teaching her to interact well with people.

As The African Institute of Corporate Citizenship CEO, Kambalame led an innovative team that transformed the cotton, rice and legumes industry through effective partnerships, integrating business principles to address development challenges.

She holds a master’s degree in business economics from Reading University, a Bachelor of Social Science from the University of Malawi, and an Advanced Certificate in Business Counselling (ACBC) from the University of Durham.

In her free time, she enjoys cooking, watching football, swimming, and walking to appreciate nature.

“Although my work takes up most of my time, I also enjoy serving people at church and in my community,” she said.

Kambalame comes from Lirangwe in Blantyre. She is a single mother and the firstborn in a family of four children.