Dr. Lweya holds a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, a Master of Science in Agricultural Development Economics and a Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD) in Microfinance from the University of Reading in the United Kingdom. He is passionate about development programming, microfinance and business. The inspiration to pursue further studies in microfinance arose from his previous work experience in Rural Development with World Vision International, the Department for International Development (DFID) and the World Bank funded Malawi Social Action Fund (MASAF).

This experience has imbued in him a strong belief that poverty reduction efforts in Malawi and indeed in the developing world have to move a step further from community development to the household. Poverty reduction at the household level has to be through economic empowerment. The building of sustainable micro-finance institutions, both at the grassroots and national levels is therefore imperative as it will promote wider outreach to all those that are currently excluded from the mainstream financial system.

Dr. Lweya is currently the Programme Development Advisor for the Food Programming and Management Group of World Vision International, the largest global partner of the United Nation's World Food Programme and a key player in food aid programming to eradicate global hunger and promote food security.

In his free time Dr. Lweya enjoys farming - a passion that he says is a lifestyle. He also enjoys tending to his family and businesses, development consulting, reading documentaries on development issues and likes debating any current challenging issues ranging from politics, development, economics, HIV/AIDS, globalisation and many more.

Dr. Lweya is married and blessed with two lovely children - a daughter and a son.

Contact: kblweya@gmail.com

Kennedy Lweya, PhD
Telephone: +27 (0) 79 505 3142 or +27 (0) 116711351
http://kennedylweya.blogspot.com/