A new assessment of Malawi’s Employer Representative Bodies (ERBs) and sector-specific organisations has revealed deep structural and operational challenges that threaten their effectiveness and long-term impact.
The report, by the European Union funded Zantchito Skills for Jobs Technical Assistance project implemented by the British Council, highlights urgent reforms needed in leadership, governance, collaboration, and digital transformation to strengthen these institutions as drivers of national development and Technical, Entrepreneurial and Vocational Education and Training (TEVET) reform.
Speaking during the validation workshop in Lilongwe, British Council Country Director, Melody Sango, commended the ERB representative bodies for their participation in the assessment which she said provided valuable input hence encouraged participants to critique the findings before validation.
“The ERBs assessment aligns closely with the project’s goal of enhancing youth employability and, ultimately, contributing to national development. The active participation of policymakers, TEVET institutions, and the private sector remains critical to the success of this initiative.” said Sango.
One of the most critical findings is the lack of leadership and management continuity. Frequent staff turnover and limited strategic planning capacity have weakened the stability of ERBs, undermining their ability to implement long-term initiatives. The report calls for immediate investment in leadership development, succession planning, and strategic resource mobilisation training.
“We’re seeing a pattern of inconsistent leadership and fragmented planning that is stalling progress. Without strategic leadership and institutional resilience, ERBs cannot deliver on their mandates.” said Timothy Adams, the international lead consultant for the assessment.
The findings show that collaboration among ERBs remains problematic, with overlapping mandates often leading to territorial disputes rather than coordinated advocacy. The report points to poor interpersonal and negotiation skills among leaders, as well as weak stakeholder communication frameworks, as key barriers to forming effective partnerships—particularly in the TEVET sector.
Governance issues were also highlighted, with several bodies operating under outdated structures and without clear roles or accountability mechanisms as many still rely on manual systems and outdated technologies, limiting their ability to respond to stakeholder needs and maintain institutional memory.
The report urges the adoption of digital tools such as customer-relationship-management (CRM) systems, alongside capacity-building in ICT and operational efficiency.
On the policy front, ERBs were found to have limited influence due to underdeveloped advocacy and public relations functions. Strengthening communication strategies and training leaders in policy engagement are recommended to ensure ERBs play a more active role in national reform processes.
The report outlines a roadmap for reform: build leadership capacity, modernise operations, enhance governance, and strengthen collaboration and advocacy. If implemented, these measures could transform ERBs into strategic partners in Malawi’s economic growth and workforce development.
Some of the institutions that participated in the assessment include the Employers Consultative Association (ECAM), Malawi Confederation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (MCCCI), Public-Private Skills Development Forum (PPSDF), among others.