Alex Namaona is an economist working with the Ministry of Development Planning and Cooperation in the government of Malawi. He has a vast experience in economic planning and programme development. He also works as a policy advisor to government on issues related to the economy that includes environmental issues. He assisted in developing the country’s Poverty and Environment Project and was instrumental in developing a climate change programme for the country.
Graduated in 1987 with a Bachelors Degree in Social Sciences majoring in Economics, Alex Namaona has worked in a number of organisations both in government and in the private sector. For over eight years he coordinated safety nets projects for the government of Malawi assisting the vulnerable communities that are dependent on natural resources for their livelihood.
In his current portfolio as a Deputy Director in the Ministry of Development Planning and Cooperation, Alex Namaona’s job involves, among other things, provision of strategic direction for the country’s economy through analysis of future growth prospect, conducting economic research on topical issues, analyzing sector policies and ensuring that they are in line with the national development agenda.
He has had exposure to a number of environmental issues and climate change issues that to him have strong linkages that has inspired him to take action hence his interest to join the world of actors in this area. He has also been interested in Disaster Risk Reduction and because of that interest he personally made an effort to be party to the Kyoto Convention on DRR and led the Malawi Delegation to the Germany Convention on the same in 2006