The Malawi High Commission in the United Kingdom warmly welcomes the forthcoming official visit to Malawi by Scotland’s First Minister, Rt Hon John Swinney MSP, scheduled for 14–20 October 2025.

“The Scottish Government has been supporting Malawi in many areas covering both development and humanitarian support." - His Excellency Dr Thomas Bisika

This landmark visit coincides with the 20th anniversary of the Scotland–Malawi Cooperation Agreement, a partnership deeply rooted in shared values of friendship, equality, and mutual respect. It will also mark the First Minister’s first visit to Malawi since assuming office earlier this year.

“The 20-year anniversary of our overseas development programme is a landmark that we should be proud of. We have seen how working together with our partner countries to better understand their challenges can have transformative impact on communities.” - First Minister, Rt Hon John Swinney MSP

Strengthening a Model Partnership

For nearly two decades, Scotland and Malawi have worked hand in hand across key sectors including health, education, climate resilience, and governance. The High Commission views this visit as a significant opportunity to renew commitments, celebrate progress, and explore future areas of collaboration that align with Malawi’s national development blueprint — Malawi 2063.

The visit will highlight the tangible results of the partnership:

• Improved health facilities and access to essential services;

• Enhanced education opportunities for young people, particularly girls and children with disabilities;

• Increased investment in renewable energy and climate-smart agriculture; and

• Continued efforts to promote gender equality and community empowerment.

A Vision for the Next 20 Years

The Malawi High Commission applauds the Scottish Government’s enduring commitment to international cooperation through its International Development and Climate Justice programmes. As both nations look ahead, the Mission hopes the visit will strengthen institutional links between Malawian and Scottish organisations and inspire new partnerships in research, innovation, and sustainable trade.

In the Jubilee Room at the House of Commons in London, a vibrant and aromatic event took place, bringing together tea enthusiasts, traders, dignitaries and politicians of course. Sureena Brackenridge MP hosted the Malawi High Commission, in collaboration with the London Tea Exchange, to an extraordinary tea tasting event that showcased the rich, diverse, and unparalleled tea offerings from Malawi. The event was attended by the guest of honour, Honorable Abida Mia MP, Minister of Water and Sanitation.

Celebrating Malawi’s Finest Teas

The tea tasting event aimed to shine a spotlight on Malawi’s tea industry, an essential foreign exchange earner for the country. With a proud history of tea cultivation dating back to the late 19th century, Malawi is renowned for its high-quality teas, which are cherished by connoisseurs and casual drinkers alike. Some of the teas featured were the Revolver Co-operative brands of Malawian teas.

A Gathering of Tea Aficionados and Industry Leaders

The event attracted a diverse audience, from seasoned tea traders and investors to curious local politicians and tea aficionados. This mix of attendees created a dynamic atmosphere, where conversations flowed as freely as the tea. Participants had the opportunity to taste and compare different teas, engage in discussions about tea cultivation practices, and explore potential business opportunities. The event also provided a platform for Malawian tea producers to network with UK-based tea companies and traders, aiming to increase market access and visibility for Malawi’s teas in one of the world’s largest tea-consuming countries. 

Promoting Ethical and Sustainable Tea Practices

Beyond the delightful tea tasting, the event highlighted important ethical and sustainability issues within the tea industry. Mr. Sangwani Hara, the chairman of the Tea Association of Malawi emphasized the country’s commitment to fair trade practices, ensuring that tea producers receive fair compensation for their work. Attendees learned about the efforts being made to improve labor conditions, promote environmentally friendly farming practices, and support community development in tea-growing regions. These initiatives resonated with many participants, who expressed a keen interest in supporting ethical tea brands.

A Culinary Journey Through Malawian Tea

One of the event’s highlights was the guided tea tasting sessions where participants were offered a deep dive into the intricate flavors and aromas of Malawian teas. Attendees learned how to identify subtle notes of floral, fruity, and earthy undertones, enhancing their appreciation for the craftsmanship involved in tea production. The sessions also provided insights into the various processing methods used to create different tea varieties, from the delicate white teas to the robust dark teas.

The Future of Malawian Tea in the UK Market 

The tea tasting event marked a significant step towards strengthening trade relations between Malawi and the UK. By showcasing the exceptional quality and diverse range of Malawian teas, the event aimed to carve out a niche for these products in the competitive UK market. With growing interest in ethically sourced and high-quality teas, Malawian tea producers are well-positioned to meet the demands of discerning consumers. 

In conclusion, the tea tasting event in London was a resounding success. It celebrated the rich heritage of Malawian tea, fostered meaningful connections within the tea industry, and championed ethical and sustainable practices. As Malawi’s teas continue to gain recognition and appreciation, the future looks bright for this vibrant and essential industry.

The UK’s Minister for Development and Women & Equalities, Rt Honourable Anneliese Dodds, began her three-day visit to Malawi yesterday, 9 December 2024. During her visit, the Minister is focusing on driving economic growth, which is at the heart of the UK government’s new approach to development.

The Minister is seeing the fruits of the strong UK-Malawi partnership in spearheading education reform through a visit to a school on the outskirts of Lilongwe city. Rt Honourable Dodds is also engaging with partners on tackling the impact of climate change and environmental degradation in Malawi. She is seeing how the UK’s work is helping vulnerable communities tackle deforestation and climate change in a cost-effective, practical way and providing critical support ahead of the rainy season.

Rt Honourable Minister Dodds is also having bilateral meetings with several senior members of government to discuss how the UK and Malawi will continue to build together a long-term and modern partnership based on shared priorities like inclusive economic growth, tackling climate change, and good governance.

Commenting on the visit, British High Commissioner to Malawi, Ms Fiona Ritchie, said: “I am delighted that Minister Dodds is visiting Malawi to see for herself the fruits of the long relationship between our two countries. During her visit, the Minister is highlighting the UK government’s new approach to development, working in partnership with Malawi to tackle global challenges and drive inclusive economic growth.”

Dr. Thomas Bisika, the Malawi High Commissioner to the UK, also commented; “We feel greatly honoured, as a country, that Malawi is among the very few countries that the UK Development Minister will be visiting within her first year in office. This will give the Minister an opportunity to witness, first hand, what the UK-Malawi Partnership has been able to accomplish over the years.”

Rt Honourable Anneliese Dodds is a British Labour and Co-operative politician and public policy analyst. She has been serving as the Minister of State for Development and Minister of State for Women and Equalities since July 2024. Dodds has been the Member of Parliament (MP) for Oxford East since 2017 and previously served as the Chair of the Labour Party from 2021 to 2024. She was also the first woman to hold the position of Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer from April 2020 to May 2021.