Mussa will lead the country's principal public institution responsible for training professionals in hospitality, tourism and travel management following his appointment by the MIT Board of Trustees.
The appointment was confirmed in a staff circular signed by Acting Executive Director Kamwana Karim, which stated that the Board had approved Mussa's appointment with effect from 7 July 2026.
Mussa, once a senior figure in the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), held several high-profile government positions during his political career before leaving frontline politics. His return to public office comes after years away from senior government leadership.
His political career was interrupted after he was convicted of abuse of office and served a prison sentence, a development that effectively brought his tenure in frontline politics to an end. Despite that setback, Mussa has remained a familiar figure in Malawi's political landscape and continues to be widely recognised by his nickname, "Mtengowaminga."
As Executive Director, Mussa is expected to oversee the management and strategic direction of the Malawi Institute of Tourism, which plays a key role in developing skilled professionals for the country's tourism and hospitality industries.
His appointment comes as the Malawian government continues to promote tourism as one of the sectors with significant potential to drive economic growth, create jobs and generate foreign exchange. Authorities have repeatedly identified tourism as an underdeveloped industry capable of making a greater contribution to the national economy through increased investment, skills development and improved service delivery.
Mussa's appointment places him at the helm of an institution expected to support those efforts by strengthening training and capacity building for the country's tourism workforce.