This is coming in the wake of a string of summits such as the US-Africa Summit India-Africa Summit, China-Africa Summit, Russia-Africa Summit and lately the coming UK-Africa Summit.

These are largely summits premised on apparent win-win relations which critics say are only a new form of partition and colonization of nations on the African continent.

Victor Chipofya fears Malawi is being used as a pawn while Mr Sheriff Kaisi feels African leaders, Malawi inclusive have to critically reflect on intentions of the summits before venturing into new alliances.

Since Malawi’s independence in 1964, the country has been engaged in various summits aimed at boosting the economy and relationships with other countries.

Among others Malawi has recently been involved in the Russia African Summit, Chinese African Summit which governance experts fear could be a new form of colonialism.

Kaisi who is a Governance and social commentator has cautioned leaders to question motives of the summits

"Developed countries from across the globe always want to align themselves with Africa through these summits.

"It means African Nations have something beneficial to them and our leaders have to weigh the key beneficiaries before drawing conclusions," he said.

Chipofya, feels Malawi is not benefiting from the summits but instead those who come pledging investments. "We are just being used as pawns in this game. We are not the ones benefiting. They are benefiting,” he said.

However, Government spokesperson Mark Botomani insists the summits have greatly helped the country. “We are living in a global world and there is no way we can isolate ourselves as a country from what is happening. It is crucially important that we get involved in these summits”.

Meanwhile, Malawi is expected to participate in the UK/Africa summit which will take place from 20^th January 2020, where the UK's interest in Malawi will be in Energy, mining and agriculture sectors.