Mr. Thomas Makiwa Confirmed as Auditor General for Malawi
Mr. Thomas Kambani Boniface Makiwa has been officially appointed as the Auditor General (Grade B) of Malawi. This appointment, made by His Excellency the President, was announced in a letter from the Office of the President and Cabinet on August 9, 2023. The announcement follows Mr. Makiwa’s extensive professional journey and contributions to the public service sector.
In accordance with Section 184(3) of the Constitution of the Republic of Malawi, Mr. Makiwa’s appointment is subject to confirmation by the National Assembly. The Assembly will consider his appointment and make a decision based on a majority vote of the members present and voting.
Mr. Makiwa, born on January 4, 1977, boasts an impressive educational background and a wealth of experience in the field of accounting and finance. He completed his secondary education at St. Paul The Apostle Seminary in Mangochi from 1992 to 1996. Following his academic achievements, he pursued a Bachelor of Accountancy at the University of Malawi, formerly known as Malawi Polytechnic, where he graduated with distinction in 2001.
His pursuit of professional qualifications led him to become a Chartered Certified Accountant with the United Kingdom in 2004, and later a fellow in 2009. Additionally, he earned membership with the Malawi Accountants Board through the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Malawi. Furthering his academic endeavors, Mr. Makiwa obtained a Master of Science in Finance with distinction from Coventry University in the United Kingdom in 2010.
Mr. Makiwa’s career in the civil service began in 2001 as a Hospital Accountant at Mwanza District Hospital. His dedication and expertise were evident as he advanced to key positions including Principal Accountant at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Chief Accountant for the Office of the President and Cabinet, and Director of Central Internal Audit Unit. He assumed the role of Accountant General of the Republic of Malawi from November 2013 to 2015.
With over two decades of experience, Mr. Makiwa has played an integral role in various capacities within the public sector. Notably, during his tenure as Accountant General, he introduced electronic payment systems for teachers’ salaries, addressing the long-standing issue of delayed payments. His achievements also encompass meeting structural benchmarks of the IMF and overseeing significant improvements at the National Audit Office (NAO), where he served as Deputy Auditor General, Acting Auditor General, and subsequently as Auditor General.
Under his leadership, NAO received recognition for its performance, receiving awards for its contributions to the public service. His commitment to modernizing audit processes resulted in automation, enhancing the timely delivery and quality of audits. Reforms at NAO continue to address emerging challenges in modern audit practices.
The confirmation of Mr. Thomas Makiwa as Auditor General marks another milestone in his accomplished career, reflecting his dedication to enhancing financial governance, transparency, and accountability within the public sector. As his appointment undergoes the confirmation process in the National Assembly, Mr. Makiwa’s contributions and achievements serve as a testament to his capability and commitment to his new role.
