Malawi President Dr Lazarus Chakwera has started business in South Africa on a very serious note.

President Chakwera arrived in South Africa on Saturday for Brazil, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS) summit at the invitation of South African president Cyril Ramaphosa.

Speaking to a group of Malawians living in South Africa, President Chakwera urged Malawian professionals and investors in diaspora to invest back home and contribute to development of the country.

The president engaged Malawian professionals and investors based in South Africa on Monday as part of his side engagements at 15th BRICS Summit which officially opens on Tuesday August 22 at Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg.

Minister of Finance, Sosten Gwengwe said the investors showcased their investment interests to the president.

“These investors are making it big in a number of sectors including telecommunications and construction in South Africa among others.

“The good thing is that a number of them are already active in a number of investments back home. The president has just emphasised that Malawi will only develop if Malawians take the lead in championing development,” Gwengwe told Malawi News Agency.

Representative of Malawian investors and professionals in South Africa Fumu Msiska said they had a very fruitful meeting with the president and the team is ready to invest back home.

The president will also meet South African investors on Tuesday.

Among key topics at the summit will be expansion of BRICS to include more members.

A number of African countries have expressed interest in joining the five- member grouping. The countries include Egypt, Nigeria and Zimbabwe among others.