Zambia, Malawi officials meet for World Bank workshop

Officials from Zambia’s Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry have travelled to Lilongwe, Malawi, for a World Bank-organised Strategic Communication Workshop bringing together project implementation and communication experts from both countries.

The workshop brings together Project Implementation Units and line ministries from Zambia and Malawi to strengthen strategic communication, public engagement, transparency and trust in World Bank-supported development programmes.

Representing the Zambian ministry are Mr Golden Makayi, Project Coordinator of the Zambia Agribusiness and Trade Project II, and Ms Everness Nankala, Principal Public Relations Officer at the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry. The Zambia Agribusiness and Trade Project II is funded by the World Bank Group.

Sessions at the workshop cover stakeholder engagement, results storytelling, reputational risk management, social media strategy, crisis communication and the use of artificial intelligence tools to improve communication effectiveness. The forum also provides a platform for knowledge exchange and peer learning between institutions from the two countries.

A key focus of the meeting is strengthening collaboration between government institutions and other stakeholders to promote transparency, accountability and inclusive national development. Participants are examining practical approaches to communicating development initiatives, managing reputational risks and building sustained public trust.

Commenting on the workshop, Mr Makayi said the training was timely and valuable. “As ZATP II, we expect, gained a lot from this engagement and pledge to apply these skills not only to increase visibility, but also to communicate with honesty and transparency,” he said.

Ms Nankala said the training strengthens the ministry’s capacity to communicate its mandate, national priorities and development programmes more effectively. “The Ministry remains committed to strengthening communication systems that support trade facilitation and sustainable development,” she stated.