Malawi: Maliam Mdoko

Born in Mleu Village in Malawi, Maliam Mdoko is the first woman to serve as president of the Malawi Institute of Architects (MIA, 2017–2019). She holds a diploma in architectural technology and a BS in architecture from the University of Malawi’s Polytechnic, in Blantyre, Malawi. She also has an Executive Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the Eastern and Southern Africa Management Institute and Maastricht School of Management (ESAMI/MSM), a certificate in Project Identification, Development, and Management (PDM) from the Maastricht School of Management, a certificate in Sustainable Design and Construction, Use of Codes, Standards and Best Practices from Meirc Training and Consulting in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and a certificate in domestic arbitration, and she is a Certified International Project Manager through the International Academy of Business and Financial Management (IABFM).

Mdoko was a member of the first cohort to participate in the Professional Practice Training and Exams (PPT+E) in Malawi; the cohort included three women architects. She started her professional career at Kanjere and Associates, an architectural firm she joined as an intern while a student until she qualified as an architect (2009). In 2010, she joined Public Trust in Malawi as an architect and project manager. She led and managed infrastructure projects across the country for education, health, housing, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), and other social sectors (c. 2010–2022). In 2022, she transitioned her career into consultancy. She worked with CES Consulting Engineers as deputy team leader, and also worked as a senior architect at Liminal Design.

In addition to her contributions to the field of architecture, Mdoko served as the Deputy Director of Commission on Sustainable Development — Science and Innovation for the Pan African Dialogue Institute. She also served on the boards of Kang’ombe Investment Limited, Architects and Quantity Surveyors, and the National Construction Industry Council, in addition to serving as president of a Rotary Club (2019–2020). Mdoko earned recognition as one of the “50 Influential African Women Architects”  by African Column (2024), and was named one of “Five Inspiring Architects You Should Know,” by Africa Speaks 4 Africa (2020).