Thabo Chakaka Nyirenda named Africa’s Top-Performing Attorney General
Nyirenda’s journey began at the Reserve Bank of Malawi, where he served as Manager of Ethics and Compliance from 2010.
In a remarkable testament to legal acumen and integrity, Hon. Thabo Chakaka Nyirenda, Malawi’s Attorney General since August 27, 2021, has been recognized as Africa’s top-performing Attorney General.
This prestigious accolade, awarded at the African Politicians Forum in Dakar, Senegal, signals a new standard in legal excellence across the continent.
Named Africa’s top-performing Attorney General, Thabo Chakaka Nyirenda embodies a potent blend of strategic legal reform, judicial fairness, and pan-African ambition.
His trajectory—from the halls of Malawi’s central bank to continental acclaim—highlights a broader story: a generation of African legal leaders reshaping justice and governance on their own terms.
Nyirenda’s journey began at the Reserve Bank of Malawi, where he served as Manager of Ethics and Compliance from 2010.
His sharp analytical skills and diligence made him a standout legal mind. In 2021, he was appointed AG by President Lazarus Chakwera, stepping into the role with bold ambition
He holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) with honors from the University of Malawi and a Master of Laws (LLM) in International Financial Law from the University of Sussex—an academic foundation that underpins his expert handling of complex legal frameworks.
Over the past few years, Nyirenda has spearheaded a series of high-profile legal victories:
He led a five-judge constitutional court panel that dismissed a high-stakes election challenge brought by the opposition DPP, reinforcing the principle that illegal appointments cannot be disputed by the perpetrator.
At the ICCA‑KIAC Arbitration Conference in Kigali (June 7, 2025), Nyirenda advocated for pan-African harmonization of arbitration laws and cited Malawi’s ratification of the New York Convention (2021) and its International Arbitration Act (2023). He is also a key architect of the Malawi International Arbitration Centre.
Nyirenda was lauded as the top AG in Africa, with peers praising his “unmatched competence and diligence”.
One Sudanese official noted, “Thabo Nyirenda’s delivery is unmatched, his competence … is really admirable.”
Similarly, Kenyan Ambassador Julius Bitok celebrated him as a new standard of legal leadership.
Under his tenure, Malawi has progressed in systemic legal reform, boosting public confidence in institutions and reinforcing governance frameworks across the nation.
Through his arbitration advocacy and legislative initiatives, he’s positioned Malawi—and Africa—as a serious contender in international dispute resolution.
Widely praised for his integrity, humility, and dedicated service, he has inspired both colleagues and a new generation of African legal professionals. Celebrated at 43, his steady legal mind and principled leadership continue to set a new bar for young African attorneys general
As Nyirenda continues to lead arbitration reform, secure constitutional safeguards, and amplify Malawi’s legal stature globally, his work stands as a beacon—a benchmark not only for Malawi but for legal systems across Africa striving for both excellence and equity.
Thabo Chakaka Nyirenda is not just setting records; he’s setting examples. And Africa is watching.
