Umodzi wa a Malawi in Germany e.V attends the Deutsch-Malawische Gesellschaft Gathering in Berlin

Umodzi wa a Malawi in Germany e.V attends the Deutsch-Malawische Gesellschaft Gathering in Berlin.

On Saturday, September 5, 2026, members of Umodzi wa a Malawi in Germany e.V., diplomats, investors, and friends of Malawi gathered at the Hans-Dietrich-Genscher-Haus in Berlin for the annual public meeting of the Deutsch-Malawische Gesellschaft e.V. (German-Malawi Association). Framed around the theme “Culture and Economics – Malawi is More,” the gathering brought together in-person and online participants to reflect on the country’s vibrant heritage, economic potential, and path forward. Representing Umodzi wa a Malawi in Germany, Chairman Allex Semba and Secretary General, Grenna Kaiya-Sokacic participated in the session, joining a diverse community eager to connect and collaborate.

A Celebration of Hope and Culture

The morning opened with welcoming remarks, setting a warm tone for an extraordinary cinematic experience. Filmmaker Dr. Rupert Pöschl personally presented his award-winning documentary, Tumaini Festival, capturing the vibrant spirit of the world’s only cultural festival hosted inside a refugee camp known as Dzaleka in Malawi. As the film unfolded, attendees experienced how poetry, music, and dance serve as powerful tools for intercultural harmony, resilience, and hope. The subsequent open discussion highlighted how cultural expression creates meaningful bridges between refugees and host communities, serving as a reminder of the warmth and humanity that define Malawi.

Realities, Investment, and Economic Diplomacy

The focus transitioned from culture to economic development under the guidance of board member Heinz Stengel, diving into “Opportunities and Challenges for SME Investment in Malawi.”

Joining virtually from Lilongwe, Hon. Wiskes Nkombezi, Secretary for Industrialization, Business, Trade and Tourism, delivered a keynote presentation on the government’s strategy to attract foreign direct investment and support small and medium enterprises. The panel then featured practical perspectives from seasoned investors and business leaders, including Martin Schäfer (RVTC), Daniel Imhäuser (Honorary Consul of Malawi in Hesse / Blasius Schuster GmbH & Co. KG), and Billy Brae (MD, GEMS Innovation Hub, Blantyre).

The discussion candidly addressed key structural realities:

The need to reduce red tape by streamlining administrative permits and regulatory procedures to lower time and financial costs for incoming businesses. For fully operational businesses challenges with tax processes, energy supply, and access to foreign exchange, especially taking out money as private businesses need effective solutions.

Encourage local Value Addition, thus, shifting from exporting raw materials to establishing processing networks in agriculture and mining to retain economic value within Malawi.

Youth & Entrepreneurship: Cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset among young Malawians, encouraging business creation alongside public-sector career paths.

Financial Incentives: Enhancing macroeconomic and foreign exchange stability to make foreign direct investments more predictable and profitable.

Dealing with security by enforcing law and order.

A unified vision for the Future

As the event reached its final panel, “How Can We Assist?” Key diplomatic figures offered strategic insights into partnership and growth.

Deputy Ambassador Derek Lakudzala from the Embassy of Malawi in Berlin highlighted the Embassy’s role as a bridge for collaboration. He shared exciting plans for Malawi’s participation in the Belgrade Expo 2027 in Serbia, where the nation will showcase its youth talent, music, and culture to an estimated four million visitors.

German Ambassador to Malawi, H.E. Ute König commended Malawi’s democratic stability and peaceful tradition relative to regional neighbors. She emphasized ongoing economic reforms, while acknowledging global trade pressures and climate risks that affect local livelihoods.

Chairman of Umodzi wa Malawi in Germany, Allex Semba contributed to the dialogue by reaffirming the diaspora’s commitment to the nation’s growth. He shared how Malawians in Germany are actively seeking pooling resources, and exploring business ventures to drive tangible development back home.

Closing the event, Chairwoman Christiane Bertels-Heering reminded everyone that understanding shared challenges and working collaboratively is the key to building a brighter future.

For Umodzi wa Malawi in Germany, the meeting was a reminder that while we may be miles away from home, our collective voice and actions continue to play a vital role in Malawi’s journey forward.