Ronald Ngwira takes helm at Illovo Sugar amid ongoing sugar supply challenges
Illovo Sugar Malawi Plc has appointed seasoned agribusiness executive Ronald Ngwira as its new Managing Director, effective Monday, 8 September 2025, when the country is still grappling with an unstable sugar supply.
Ngwira brings over 30 years of leadership experience in Malawi’s agriculture sector. Until recently, he served as Managing Director of Pyxus Agriculture Malawi, managing a diversified portfolio including seed production, groundnuts, forestry, and tobacco agronomy.
He is widely respected for his deep expertise in agricultural transformation, sustainability, and value chain integration.
” He is well recognised for his depth of knowledge in agricultural value chains, sustainability practices, stakeholder engagement, and transformation operations,” said Board Chairperson Jimmy Lipunga in a statement.
Ngwira holds a Master’s degree in Project Management from the University of Bolton in the United Kingdom, and a Bachelor of Science in Statistics and Computer Science from the University of Malawi. He is also an alumnus of a Global Executive Masterclass in Leadership.
His appointment follows the departure of Lekani Katandula, who has taken up a group-level leadership role within ABF Sugar. The Board also acknowledged Kondwani Msimuko, who served as Interim Managing Director during the transition.
Ngwira steps into the role as Illovo works to restore a stable sugar supply across the country, following months of consumer complaints, stock shortages, and price volatility.
