Former Malawi President Joyce Banda has received the Broad Pool of Ideas (BPI) Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of her contributions to democracy, women’s empowerment, poverty reduction and social justice.
The award was presented on October 8, 2026, at The Galleria Conference Hall in Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Banda, who served as Malawi’s first female president from 2012 to 2014, was recognised for her political leadership, humanitarian work and efforts to promote gender equality.
Beyond politics, Banda founded the Joyce Banda Foundation in 1997, which focuses on women’s economic empowerment, education and HIV/AIDS programmes.
She also serves in various international organisations, including the SADC Panel of Elders, Club de Madrid and the African Union’s African Leaders Women Network.
BPI Foundation Executive Director Nkosana Thobela said the award recognised Banda’s lifelong commitment to integrity, public service and mentorship.
Banda joins previous recipients of the award, including former Mozambican president Joaquim Chissano, South African entrepreneur Reuel Khoza and former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay.
