10 Notable alumni of University of Malawi
Updated: May 05, 2026 EliteDegrees
University of Malawi is ranked #4,146 in the world and #1 in Malawi by aggregated alumni prominence. Below is the list of 10 notable alumni from University of Malawi sorted by their wiki pages popularity. The directory includes famous graduates and former students along with research and academic staff. Many individuals affiliated with University of Malawi won Nobel Prizes for Peace, in Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, and Economics.
1. Sosten Gwengwe
1977-. (aged 49)
politician
Sosten Gwengwe is a Malawian politician who served as the Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs of the Republic of Malawi from January 30, 2022 until his replacement in October 2023. He previously served as Minister of Trade from June 2020 until his appointment as Finance and Economic Affairs Minister.
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2. Frank Chipasula
1949-. (aged 77)
writer
Frank Mkalawile Chipasula is a Malawian writer, editor and university professor, "easily one of the best of the known writers in the discourse of Malawian letters".
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3. Felix Mlusu
1951-. (aged 75)
Felix Mlusu is a Malawian corporate executive who served as the 22nd Minister of Finance in the Government of the Republic of Malawi from 2020 to 2022. Prior to his role in the Treasury he was Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer of NICO Holdings from 1994 until his retirement on 31 December 2016.
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4. Ken Lipenga
1952-. (aged 74)
politician
minister
Ken Diston Lipenga is a Malawian politician, journalist, and writer. He was the Member of Parliament for Phalombe East from 1997 to 2014. He has served in various ministerial positions.
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5. Shemu Joyah
1959-. (aged 67)
film director
film producer
Charles Shemu Joyah is a producer and director from Malawi. He was born in Zimbabwe. His third movie, The Road to Sunrise, was selected as the Malawian entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 91st Academy Awards.
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6. Francis Moto
1952-. (aged 74)
diplomat
poet
Professor Francis P. B. Moto is a Malawian writer, academic, and diplomat. He was the Principal of Chancellor College and then the ambassador to the UK and then Brazil. His home is Golomoti in the Dedza District of Malawi.
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7. Lazarus Chakwera
1955-. (aged 71)
theologian
teacher
politician
Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera is a Malawian politician, theologian, and pastor who served as the sixth president of Malawi from 2020 to 2025. A member of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), he has served as the party's president since 2013. He also served as President of the Malawian Assemblies of God from 1989 to 2013, and during his presidency concurrently served...
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8. Saulos Chilima
1973-2024 (aged 51)
minister
economist
politician
Saulos Klaus Chilima was a Malawian economist and politician who served as Vice President of Malawi from 2014 to 2019 and again from 2020 until his death in 2024. Chilima assumed office on 28 June 2020, winning the majority alongside presidential candidate Lazarus Chakwera. Chilima also served as the Minister of Economic Planning and Development, as well as Head of...
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9. Catherine Gotani Hara
1974-. (aged 52)
minister
speaker
politician
Catherine Gotani Hara is a Malawian politician who served as Speaker of the National Assembly of Malawi between June 2019 and August 2025, the first woman to hold the position. She was one of the first MPs announced as re-elected in the 2025 election.
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10. Paul Tiyambe Zeleza
1955-. (aged 71)
historian
novelist
Paul Tiyambe Zeleza is a Malawian historian, literary critic, novelist, short-story writer and blogger at The Zeleza Post. He was (2009) president of the African Studies Association. He was the vice-president for academic affairs at Quinnipiac University. He served as vice chancellor of the United States International University Africa from 2016 to 2021, located in Nairobi, Kenya. He served as...
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