• MA (Development Studies) (University of Malawi (Chancellor College)
• BSc (Agricultural Economics) (University of Malawi) (Bunda College)
• MSc (Agriculture and Applied Economics) (Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (Pending).

Brief background:

Mathias, currently is an experienced development researcher with a wealth of experience in managing and conducting research projects throughout Malawi and the southern African region. He has held significant positions, including M&E Consultant at RUMARK and SMEC International, where he served as a Statistician and Data Auditor for the Millennium Challenge Account Resettlement Action Plan Project.

Previously, he worked as a Research Fellow at the Ministry of Finance Economic Planning and Development and held positions as a Junior Research Fellow at the Centre for Social Research, University of Malawi. Matthias also served as M&E and Knowledge Management Coordinator at Afri-care Malawi, overseeing programs such as WALA, IMPACT, and WASH. He conducted Agri Inputs Market Assessment as a Market Researcher for Engineers Without Borders in Zambia. His expertise covers various areas, including HIV and AIDS, rural development, health, and agricultural marketing. He has also contributed to evaluations of cash
transfer programs, education projects, water projects, and studies on the impact of COVID-19 on child marriages.

Research Focus:
HIV and AIDS; rural development; health; agricultural marketing.

Mbendela M. and D.Makoka (2024). Do Humanitarian Cash Transfers Yield Better Welfare Outcomes for Children? The Case of Malawi. ‘The Palgrave Handbook of Social Protection and Social Welfare in Global South’. Palgrave Macmillan.

Mbendela M. October 16-19). Market Functionalities and Swinging Preferences of Cash Transfer Beneficiaries in Malawi: An Issue for Policy and Programming. [Paperpresentation] Southern Africa Social Protection Experts Network (SASPEN) Conference. Johannesburg, RSA.27 http://www.saspen.org/conferences/comprehensive2016/SASPEN2016_Poster_Mbendela+Mazoka_Market-Functionalities.pdf.

Mbendela M.(2013, February 5-9).Community Cohesion in HIV and AIDS Context: A qualitative Study on HIV/AIDS and social Capital. [Paper Presentation]. National Health Research Network Meeting, Blantyre,2013.

Mbendela M. (2013, April 14-19). An Assessment of the impact of HIV and AIDS on rural organization. [Paper presentation]. Social Science Research Dissemination conference. Chancellor College University of Malawi, Zomba.

Mbendela M. (2010, October 8-13). Impact of HIV and AIDS on Social Capital in Rural Malawi. [Paper Presentation]. National HIV and AIDS Research and Best Practices Dissemination Conference organized by National AIDS Commission (2010), MIM, Lilongwe, Malawi.

Mbendela M. (2013, December). Is Extended Facility System Providing adquate Care and Support to the Child Headed Households? Evidence from Malawi. [Paper presentation]. National HIV/AIDS Symposium organized by Every Child Malawi and VSO-Malawi, Lilongwe Malawi.

Mbendela M. (2011, January 6-10). Targeting in Farmin put Subsidy Program an issue of great consideration for Child headed household. [Paper presentation] Engineers without Borders World Annual Conference. All Stream Centre, Toronto, Canada

Mbendela M. (2008, April 14-19). Impact of HIV and AIDS on Social Capital in Rural Malawi [Paper Presentation]. A 10 year retrospect of Health and AIDS Research Department (HEARD) of University of Kwazulu Natal–14^th April 2008, RSA.