In 2016, we conducted a review of DFID (now FCDO) Malawi’s governance and accountability programming, supporting the design of a new governance and policy engagement programme. This review adopted a highly politically informed approach to designing programme interventions. Kivu developed an ‘issue-based programme’ which would carefully identify issues with the potential for reform and then create ‘coalitions for change’, bringing together an influential combination of different interests and organisations to achieve change.