Sosten Gwengwe (born 20 May 1977) 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.[1][2]

Sosten Gwengwe, M.P.
Gwengwe in 2013
Minister of Finance & Economic Affairs
In office
30 January 2022 – October 2023
PresidentLazarus Chakwera
Preceded byFelix Mlusu
Succeeded bySimplex Chithyola Banda
Minister of Trade
In office
28 June 2020 – 26 January 2022
PresidentLazarus Chakwera
Preceded bySalim Bagus
In office
2012–2014
PresidentJoyce Banda
Member of Parliament
Lilongwe Msozi North
Assumed office
2017
Preceded byHighton Jiya
Member of Parliament
Dedza Central
In office
2009–2014
Personal details
Born (1977-05-20) 20 May 1977 (age 47)
NationalityMalawian
Political partyMalawi Congress Party
SpouseColovine Gwengwe
Alma materMalawi Polytechnic (B.Acc)
OBU (MBA)
ProfessionManagement accountant

Gwengwe was first elected to Parliament in 2009 as a member of the Malawi Congress Party, but announced on August 31, 2011 that he was switching to the Democratic Progressive Party because the MCP "had nothing to offer to the country" and the DPP under President Bingu wa Mutharika had a "clear vision of developing the country".[3] Following the death of President Mutharika, he joined the People's Party.[4]

Early life and education

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Gwengwe is a Chartered Management Accountant (CIMA) and has worked in both public and private sector. He holds a Bachelor of Accountancy degree which he obtained from the University of Malawi (The Polytechnic). He is also a holder of Master of Business Administration (Finance) from Oxford Brookes University of the United Kingdom.

Gwengwe has teaching experience after teaching various Business Management courses at London Vocational, Management and Training Business School (an Emile Wolf College) in London. In Malawi, he established Dzuka Girls Secondary School, Dzuka Girls Primary School, Dzuka Private Academy, Alice Gwengwe Foundation, Sosten Gwengwe Foundation and Gwengwe Private Academy.[5]

Political career

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Gwengwe is a member of Parliament for Lilongwe Msonzi North. His political career started in 2009 when he was first elected as Member of Parliament for Dedza Central Constituency. Gwengwe has served in the cabinet in various capacities and ministries including Ministry of Transport and Ministry of Industry and Trade. He is currently serving as Minister of Finance after being promoted in a February Cabinet Reshuffle by President Lazarus Chakwera.[6]

In 2014, President Joyce Banda picked Gwengwe to be her running mate. Banda lost the elections and Gwengwe failed to become the Vice President of the country.[7]

Other activities

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References

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  1. ^ "Banda picks youthful running mate". The Citizen (Tanzania). 2014-02-14. Retrieved 2014-02-15.
  2. ^ "Get to know Sosten Gwengwe, JB's running mate". Face of Malawi. 2014-02-14. Retrieved 2014-02-15.
  3. ^ "MP Sosten Gwengwe joins DPP | Malawi Nyasa Times – Malawi breaking news in Malawi". Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2014-08-11.
  4. ^ "Gwengwe speaks on political career -The Nation Online". Archived from the original on 2014-08-12. Retrieved 2014-08-11.
  5. ^ "Hon Sosten A. Gwengwe, MP – presstrust.mw". Retrieved 2022-07-20.
  6. ^ "Malawi president changes finance minister in reshuffled cabinet". Reuters. 2022-01-28. Retrieved 2022-07-20.
  7. ^ "JB picks Gwengwe as her running mate: Done deal! - Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi". www.nyasatimes.com. 2014-02-13. Retrieved 2022-07-20.
  8. ^ Board of Governors International Monetary Fund (IMF).