Malawi: Malawi Govt Launches 2026-2027 Climate Outlook Forum, Calls for Early Preparedness Amid El Niño Risk

What the report says

Malawi has opened its 2026-2027 National Climate Outlook Forum in Lilongwe, with officials urging government agencies, businesses and other stakeholders to prepare early for expected climate risks. The forum was launched as the country anticipates strong El Niño conditions in the coming season, according to the report carried by Nyasa Times and distributed by AllAfrica.

Natural Resources Minister Patricia Wiskes said the forum is intended to connect seasonal climate information with practical planning across key sectors. She emphasized that Malawi’s recent history of cyclones and prolonged dry spells shows the cost of delayed action, and called for stronger national capacity to forecast, plan and respond to climate outlooks. Her remarks framed early preparedness as a way to reduce losses from weather-related shocks.

Deputy British High Commissioner Ben Nicholson also backed acting on forecasts before impacts are felt, saying support from the UK is increasingly focused on preparedness and resilience. He said the British government’s WISER Action First Programme is working to improve the link between climate forecasts and action, including by reflecting community needs in early warning systems.

The Department of Meteorological Services separately released the 2026-2027 rainfall outlook, pointing to a high chance of below-normal rainfall in much of Malawi’s Southern and Central regions, while the Northern region is expected to see normal to above-normal rainfall. The outlook matters because seasonal rainfall patterns affect farming, water supplies and disaster planning.