Revelations have emerged that Seedco Malawi, a major agri-business supplier, is under growing scrutiny following reports that it provided financial and logistical support to the former ruling Malawi Congress Party during the last national election campaign.
Sources familiar with the matter confirm that the company’s Managing Director, Boyd Luwe, played a central role in sponsoring party activities.
In return, Chakwera appointed him as a Board Chair for MUST as a special thank you. That was not all. President Chakwera also appointed him a board member of Presidential Private Sector Council, putting him third in command.
Luwe also owns Machawi Coaches which trade under Open Spaces Africa Limited. The coaches were proceeds from his dirty deals with MCP-led government.
If that’s not enough, Luwe was a frequent presence at high-level party meetings and campaign events, often seen in the company of senior political figures and accompanied by his spouse Khumbo.
Observers within political circles allege that these associations extended beyond campaign season and into government operations during the party’s time in office.
During that period, SeedCo Malawi is reported to have received multiple government supply contracts, prompting concerns among governance watchdogs over possible preferential treatment in public procurement processes.
Further information indicates that the executive maintained close professional ties with
Former Presidential Advisor Benjamin Wandawanda, who previously served as Chief Advisor on Foreign Direct Investments and Financial Services in the capital.
Meanwhile, analysts suggest that such networks between business executives and politically influential figures often attract public interest when questions of transparency and accountability arise.
With a new administration now in power, civil society groups say it is essential that public institutions exercise caution in entering into fresh contractual agreements with politically connected companies.
“We are urging the Ministry of Agriculture to tread carefully in its engagements with business entities linked to political financing, to safeguard public confidence in procurement processes,” said one governance advocate.
Requests for comment from Seed Company Malawi had not been answered at the time of publication.
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