Kabambe: From technocrat to UTM leader—A presidential contender’s journey toward Malawi’s 2025 elections

By Burnett Munthali

As Malawi inches closer to its September 16, 2025, presidential elections, one of the candidates who has continued to capture public interest is Dr. Dalitso Kabambe, the former Reserve Bank Governor and now President of the United Transformation Movement (UTM).

Dr. Dalitso Kabambe was born in Malawi in the early 1970s, growing up in a middle-class family that emphasized education, discipline, and service to the nation.

He pursued his early education in Malawi, where his academic brilliance quickly set him apart from his peers.

After completing his secondary education, he was selected to study at the University of Malawi, Chancellor College, where he obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Economics.

He later earned a Master’s degree in Economic Planning and Development from the same university, further sharpening his analytical skills in macroeconomic management.

Kabambe’s academic journey reached new heights when he pursued a Ph.D. in Development Economics from Imperial College in the United Kingdom, a credential that fortified his reputation as one of Malawi’s brightest economic minds.

His professional career began in the civil service, where he served in various capacities within the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning.

He rose steadily through the ranks and became well-known for his commitment to fiscal discipline, strategic planning, and data-driven policy formulation.

His pivotal moment came when he was appointed as Governor of the Reserve Bank of Malawi in April 2017 under the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) administration.

During his tenure at the Reserve Bank, Kabambe was credited with restoring macroeconomic stability and strengthening the country’s monetary policy framework.

He championed inflation control, interest rate management, and foreign reserve accumulation, which helped to stabilize the kwacha and reassure investors.

However, Kabambe’s legacy at the central bank is not without controversy.

He faced criticism over issues related to the misreporting of Malawi’s foreign reserve position to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which led to a major scandal and legal investigations involving several officials, including himself.

Despite denying any wrongdoing, the matter has lingered in the public discourse and remains a cloud over his otherwise impressive economic resume.

After leaving the Reserve Bank in 2020 following the Tonse Alliance victory, Kabambe took a brief political hiatus before resurfacing with bold political ambitions.

In 2022, he surprised many by joining the United Transformation Movement (UTM), a party led by the late Vice President Dr. Saulos Klaus Chilima.

Following Chilima’s sudden death in June 2024, Kabambe was elected UTM president during a tightly contested convention, positioning him as the party’s torchbearer for the 2025 elections.

His decision to join UTM rather than the DPP or another party was interpreted by analysts as a strategic move to distance himself from old political baggage and tap into a youthful, reform-oriented base.

Kabambe’s leadership experience thus spans both technocratic and political spheres.

He is known for his calm demeanor, intellectual rigor, and policy-driven rhetoric—traits that appeal to the urban elite, technocrats, and the international community.

As UTM president, he has emphasized economic reform, youth empowerment, public sector efficiency, and investment in technology as his core campaign pillars.

However, critics argue that Kabambe lacks the grassroots political touch that resonates with rural voters.

They point out that he is untested in legislative or community organizing roles, and that his campaign is often overly reliant on technical jargon rather than emotional connection.

He has also struggled to defend himself from lingering allegations related to the IMF misreporting case, which opponents frequently use to question his integrity.

Despite these challenges, Kabambe remains a formidable candidate in the 2025 race.

His popularity has been growing steadily, particularly among educated youth, economic professionals, and voters disillusioned by the slow pace of economic development under the Tonse administration.

His presence on social media, engagement with policy think tanks, and public lectures on economic strategy have helped position him as a serious alternative to the traditional political establishment.

His electoral prospects will likely depend on how well he can expand his appeal beyond urban centers and solidify his presence in the Southern and Central regions, where political loyalty is often tied to ethnic identity and local influence.

Kabambe will also need to maintain unity within the UTM party and prevent internal divisions that could weaken his base ahead of the elections.

In a political climate where Malawians are increasingly looking for competent, corruption-free, and development-oriented leadership, Kabambe’s technocratic profile could be both a strength and a liability.

As September 16, 2025, draws closer, Dr. Dalitso Kabambe finds himself at the crossroads of economic credibility and political viability.

Whether he can transform his impressive academic and economic credentials into electoral victory remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—he is a contender worth watching.