MW2063 PILLAR: AGRICULTURE PRODUCTIVITY AND COMMERCIALISATION

Seven irrigation schemes under construction across the country

PRIDE Malawi with funding from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is currently constructing 12 irrigation schemes in various parts of the country to support over 7,000 farmers improve their agriculture production and commercialization. One of the schemes is the K12 billion Mzenga Irrigation Scheme in Nkhata Bay district – current under construction by HE Jackson Engineering Limited and Inyatsi Construction Group where contractors are currently constructing the water intake, the night storage reservoirs and a flood protection bund. Seated in the area of Traditional Authority Kabunduli’s area, the 900-hectare scheme is the biggest irrigation scheme PRIDE is currently constructing in the country. Once fully operational, 1289 farming households will be using the irrigation scheme. Wowo in Phalombe, Lingoni in Machinga, Mlooka and Matoponi in Zomba are the other schemes currently under construction. Two schemes – Marko and Mafinga in Chitipa districts have been completed and farmers are already expected to harvest their first crop in December. (PRIDE Malawi Facebook page, December 1, 2023).

MW2063 ENABLER: ECONOMIC INFRASTRUCTURE

The Electricity Generation Company (Malawi) Limited (EGENCO) has embarked on the construction of a 10 Megawatts solar power project at Nanjoka in Salima district. The plant will be constructed by Chint Electric Co. and is expected to take 18 months. The company says this is the first phase of scalable 20MW solar power plant that will be implemented in two phases of 10MW each. The plant will incorporate advanced battery storage system of 2.5MWh capacity to enhance power system stability during intermittent sunlight or unexpected fluctuations in demand. The generated power will be evacuated through ESCOM’s Nanjoka Substation. EGENCO is diversifying power sources through construction of hydropower plants away from Shire River, and development of alternative power generation technologies using solar, geothermal and coal energy sources. in line with EGENCO’s 2023- 2038 Strategic Plan that centers on increasing the country’s power generation capacity and diversifying power sources to mitigate impact of climate change.

MW2063 ENABLER: HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT

Malawi stops further spread of polio

Malawi has successfully managed to stop further transmission of polio, according to a visiting international Outbreak Response Assessment (OBRA). The team revealed this during a de-briefing meeting with Malawi’s Ministry of Health in Lilongwe recently. Executive indulgence, six successful rounds of polio immunisation campaigns and vigilant surveillance of acute flacid paralysis cases are some of the factors that have contributing to this success, according to the OBRA team.

MW2063 PILLAR: INDUSTRIALISATION

Mining company launches airborne survey

An Australian-registered mining company, Green Exploration Company Limited, on December 1, 2023 launched an airborne survey as part of rare earth exploration works it is undertaking at Salambidwe Hills in Chikwawa district. The 7-day exercise was expected to focus on getting more elaborative geometric and radiometric data on on the site. – (Mining Review, December 2, 2023)

MW2063 ENABLER: PRIVATE SECTOR DYNAMISM

FINES disburses K47bn to local entrepreneurs

Over K47 billion has been disbursed to 43,000 entrepreneurs under the Financial Inclusion and Entrepreneurship Scaling (FINES) Project being implemented by the Reserve Bank of Malawi. FINES Project Manager Ralph Tseka told journalists in Blantyre on 1 December 2023 that out of the beneficiaries who accessed the reasonable loans, about 30,000 are women. (zodiac Online 1 December 2023)

MW2063 PILLAR: AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY AND COMMERCIALIZATION

Chakwera launches AGCOM II project

President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera has launched phase two of the Agricultural Commercialisation (AGCOM II) project that seeks to transform smallholder farming into commercial agriculture. The programme follows the success of Agcom I implemented from six years ago with $95 million from the World Bank. On the other hand, AGCOM II is worth $265 million. (The Nation newspaper, 17 November 2023)

FDH Bank, Afreximbank sign K17bn trade deal

African Import and Export Bank (Afreximbank) and FDH Bank plc have signed a $10 million (about K17 billion) Africa Trade Exchange (Atex) facility agreement at the ongoing Third Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2023) in Cairo, Egypt). The deal is set to reshape the landscape of agricultural procurements as it would ease some foreign exchange requirements for the importation of goods such as fertilizers and fuel. (Source: The Nation 13th November 2023).

MW2063 PILLAR: INDUSTRIALIZATION

Bakhresa invests k170bn in cooking oil refinery

Bakhresa Malawi Limited says it has invested $100 million (about K170 billion) in the green field cooking oil refinery plant to crush 500 metric tonnes (MT) of soya beans per day and create an initial 500 jobs. (The Nation newspaper, 15 November 2023).

MW2063 ENABLER: EFFECTIVE GOVERNANCE SYSTEMS AND INSTITUTIONS

Malawi secures K298bn IMF facility

Malawi on 15 November 2023 got the nod of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Executive Board for a four-year Extended Credit Facility (ECF) worth $175 million which is expected to help tabilize the economy by unlocking various international funding lines to the country. The approval follows a review mission in September led by IMF mission chief for Malawi Mika Saito, which agreed a four-year ECF programme to replace the Staff Monitored Programme with Limited Board Involvement (PMB) that expired last month and Malawi’s request for the ECF. (The Nation newspaper, 16 November 2023)

The Israeli commits $60 million to Malawi

The government of Israel has committed to provide Malawi with a bilateral grant of US$60 million to enable the country import some strategic commodities into the country. Minister of Finance, Simplex Chithyola-Banda, told MBC that the money will go towards the procurement of fertilizer and medicine among others. The development comes a day after the International Monetary Fund (IMF) granted an Extended Credit Facility to Malawi, which President Dr Lazarus Chakwera says is a fresh start for Malawi’s economic recovery. (Source: MBC online, 17th November, 2023)

MW2063 ENABLER: HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT

MUBAS to double its intake by 2030

The Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS) has unveiled plans to double student intake from 8, 000 to over 16, 000 by 2030 in order to increase tertiary education opportunities for many young Malawians. (Source: ZBSnewsonline 13th November 2023).

Scorchers, Temwa, Tabitha, Fazili nominated for CAF 2023 Awards

Scorchers have been nominated for the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) 2023 Team of the Year award while sisters Temwa and Tabitha Chawinga have been nominated for the Player of the Year award. Coach Lovemore Fazili, on the other hand, will contest for the Women`s Football Coach of the Year award. (Source: The Nation 15th November 2023).

MW2063 PILLAR: URBANISATION

Malawi Airlines unveils new Boeing aircraft

Malawi Airlines Limited has unveiled a new Boeing 737-700 aircraft as an addition to its fleet of aircraft which is now at three. Meanwhile, the airline has announced plans to extend its flights to three new destinations, namely Mozambique, Rwanda, and Uganda following the arrival of the 118 passenger aircraft. (Source: The Nation, 30th October 2023).

MW2063 ENABLER: HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT

MUST, Samsung sign MoF on innovation

The Malawi University of Science and Technology (Must) and Samsung Electronics Limited have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) which will enable the technology firm to support out-of-school students in coding, computer programming, and artificial intelligence. Samsung Electronics senior professional public affairs for transformation part, Lenhle Khoza said the MoU has been designed to help out-of-school students, but have a passion for technology development. (Source: The Nation, 1st November 2023)

Malawi conducts first open-heart surgery

Malawi has conducted the first successful heart surgery, following successful operations that were undertaken at in Blantyre Adventist Hospital by a heart team and critical care specialists from the USA, Canada, and Kenya. These operations will continue up mid-November this year. (Source: MibawaNews online, 1st Novermber, 2023).

UNIMA -ecampus distance learning

The University of Malawi (UNIMA) has made history by initiating the first-ever 100% online educational program in Malawi. This move is in line with the Malawi Government`s robust commitment to expand affordable access to education. ( Source: unima.ecampus.ac.mw) TEVETA launches K17.7bn grant Technical, Entrepreneurial, and Vocation Education Training Authority (Tevata) has launched a K17.7 billion Competitive Grand Scheme to support training institutions in the country. Teveta director of finance Sarah Mwale Zgambo said the scheme will help institutions develop a skilled technical workforce in line with MW2063. (Source: The Nation, 30 October, 2023).

MW2063 ENABLER: MINDSET CHANGE

Ministry holds National Unity Day

President Lazarus Chakwera has directed that every first Thursday of November be commemorated as Umodzi Day, a day Malawians will celebrate peace and unity. Chakwera made the directive on Thursday November 2, 2023 at Chilimampunga Ground in Mtandire - Lilongwe during the commemoration of the first Umodzi Day in the country. The President said the day will be celebrated by promoting Malawian things, such as fabric, food, languages, dances, arts, inventions, and other Malawian attractions. – The Atlas

UNIMA -ecampus distance learning

The University of Malawi (UNIMA) has made history by initiating the first-ever 100% online educational program in Malawi. This move is in line with the Malawi Government`s robust commitment to expand affordable access to education. ( Source: unima.ecampus.ac.mw) TEVETA launches K17.7bn grant Technical, Entrepreneurial, and Vocation Education Training Authority (Tevata) has launched a K17.7 billion Competitive Grand Scheme to support training institutions in the country. Teveta director of finance Sarah Mwale Zgambo said the scheme will help institutions develop a skilled technical workforce in line with MW2063. (Source: The Nation, 30 October, 2023).

MW2063 ENABLER: MINDSET CHANGE

Ministry holds National Unity Day

President Lazarus Chakwera has directed that every first Thursday of November be commemorated as Umodzi Day, a day Malawians will celebrate peace and unity. Chakwera made the directive on Thursday November 2, 2023 at Chilimampunga Ground in Mtandire - Lilongwe during the commemoration of the first Umodzi Day in the country. The President said the day will be celebrated by promoting Malawian things, such as fabric, food, languages, dances, arts, inventions, and other Malawian attractions. – The Atlas

MW2063 ENABLER: ECONOMIC INFRASTRUCTURE

Nocma forges pipeline deal

The National Oil Company of Malawi (NOCMA) has reached a tentative deal to start transporting fuel out of Beira Port through Mozambique-Zimbabwe pipelines, Business Review has learnt. The deal involves Companhia do Pipeline Mozambique-Zimbabwe (CPMZ) Limited, the National Oil Infrastructure Company of Zimbabwe (NOIC) and NOCMA. (The Nation newspaper, Thursday 26 Oct)

Escom connects 49,000 new households under Access project

The Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM) says it has connected 49,000 new customers to the electricity grid under the World Bank-funded Malawi Electricity Access Project (Meap) which the corporation has been implementing since 2022. Escom senior projects manager Alex Kaitane said they are on track to reach the target of 70,000 connections by December 2023. (The Nation newspaper, Sunday 22 Oct)

Malawi upbeat on power interconnector

Ministry of Energy Principal Secretary Alfonso Chikuni has expressed optimism that the country will have sustainable lower electricity tariffs once the Mozambique-Malawi interconnector is commissioned. He said this in Lilongwe on the 24th of October during the opening of a three-day high-level meeting of Southern Africa Power Pool (SAPP). (The Nation Newspaper wed 25 October)

MW2063 ENABLER: HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENTMW2063 ENABLER: HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT

World Bank provides k10bn for medical drugs

The World Bank has given Malawi a grant of US$9 million for the purchase of essential medical drugs for the country’s public hospitals. Minister of Health Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda said the first consignment of the drugs is set to arrive this week. (The Nation newspaper, Wednesday 25 Oct)

MW2063 ENABLER: PRIVATE SECTOR DYNAMISM

UK's £10m project to unleash Malawi's export potential

The United Kingdom (UK) has launched a £10million project, the Malawi Value Chain (MVC), which is to run from 2023 to 2028 promote foreign and domestic investment and increase the value of Malawi, especially in high-value export sectors. The UK believes MVC will contribute greatly to increasing Malawi's narrow export hase, thereby increasing the supply of foreign exchange and creating strong jobs and avenues in the country. (Nyasatimes, Wednesday, October 25)

MW2063 PILLAR: HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT

Malawi Women's Football Team Wins COSAFA Cup

The Malawi Women’s National Football Team, the Scorchers, on Sunday October 15, 2023 made history when they beat Zambia 2-1 to win the 2023 Confederation of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA), the first time for a Malawi football team to win an international trophy since 1988 when the Malawi men’s football team won the East and Central Africa Challenge Cup.

Chawinga Becomes First MAlawian Female To Play In UEFA Champions League

Malawi’s female football gem, Tabitha Chawinga, on Tuesday, October 10, 2023 not only become the first Malawian female footballer to play in the UEFA champions league but also scored the only goal for her team PSG of France in a 1-1 draw with Manchester United. Chawinga made her debut for PSG three weeks ago when her team lost 1-0 to French champions, Olympic Lyonnaise, and got her debut goal in a 1-0 win over Saint-Ettiene in the league.

New German Grant To Boost Nutrition In Malawi

The German Government has provided 5 million euros (about K6.3 billion) to Malawi to scale up interventions to address malnutrition in Phalombe, Nsanje, Blantyre, Dowa and Lilongwe districts. This is additional funding towards the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) programme which Malawi has been implementing since 2011, bringing the overall German Government’s contribution to 44.55 million euros (about K57.46 billion).

MW2063 PILLAR: AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY AND COMMERCIALISATION

Chikwawa Sugarcane Growers Partner Presscane

About 2,000 smallholder farmers under Katunga-Maseya (KAMU) Cooperative have entered into a partnership with one of Malawi’s ethanol producing companies, PressCane, for the supply of sugarcanes which will be used in the production of ethanol, among other products. KAMU’s 1069- hectare mega farm was officially opened by His Excellency the President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera on Tuesday, October 10, 2023. It has been funded by the World Bank through the Agriculture Commercialisation Project (AGCOM) to the tune of K5.3 billion.

MW2063 ENABLER: MINDSET CHANGE

Businessman Constructs K65m School Block

Sparc Systems Limited owner, Wisely Phiri, has constructed a K65 million classroom block at Kiwe Primary School in Senior Chief Kilupula area in Karonga district. Phiri went to Kiwe Primary School as a child and felt the need to support the school to help address the shortage of classrooms at the school and as one of his ways of giving back to the community.

Nation Newspaper Mobilises K242m Equipment For NkhataBay Hospital

National Publications Limited, publishers of Nation newspapers, has handed over various equipment worth K242 million to Nkhata Bay District Hospital and its satellite health facilities following a successful Mothers Fun Run campaign through which the company raises funds annually for safe motherhood interventions at various public hospitals in the country.

MW2063 ENABLER: PRIVATE SECTOR DYNAMISM

USAID Announced $40m Investment To Boost Entrepreneurship In Malawi

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has announced a new $40 million investment to boost incomes and bolster employment opportunities in Malawi, Through the new Growth Poles Project, USAID Malawi will work with Palladium to partner with anchor firms to expand opportunities for smallholder farmers, youth, and women.

New K60b IFAD Funding To Boost Farming In Malawi

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and Malawi Government have signed a financing agreement of $57 million (about K60 billion) to support small-scale farmers and micro, small and medium-sized enterprises. Minister of Foreign Affairs Nancy Tembo signed the agreement with the United Nations arm on Thursday, October 12, 2023 on the sidelines of the opening of IFAD Malawi country office in Lilongwe.

MW2063 ENABLER: ECONOMIC INFRASTRUCTURE

Malawi First In The World To Provide Free Internet In Markets, Schools And Hospitals

Malawi has become the first country in the world to provide free internet in schools, markets and hospitals. This follows the rolling-out of the Digital Malawi Project by the Malawi government through which free Internet connection is being provided to users in the country’s various public schools, hospitals and markets. The Digital Malawi Project is being implemented by the Public Private Partnerships Commission with funding from the World Bank.

New Project To Improve Internet Access Among Girls

The United Nations Women (UN Women) has partnered Ministry of Education to launch a Malawi Girls Can Code Too Initiative to reduce the digital gender divide and economically empower young women through increased digital and technology access. The $2 million four-year project, funded by the Irish Government, will benefit about 7,500 girls from eight districts of Lilongwe, Blantyre, Mzimba, Zomba, Dedza, Balaka, Dowa and Thyolo.

Blantyre City Council Opens Two New Roads

The Blantyre City Council on Monday, October 9, 2023 officially opened two new roads, a development that will not only ease congestion but will also add beauty and improve business efficiency in the city. The Chipatala to Kamba as well the Lali Lubani to Kenyatta Drive roads are now opened to traffic and have been constructed with road levy funding from the Roads Fund Administration.

MW2063 ENABLER: EFFECTIVE GOVERNANCE SYSTEMS AND INSTITUTIONS

Malawi Re-elected Into UN Human Rights Council

Malawi, alongside Albania, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burundi, China, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Dominican Republic, France, Ghana, Indonesia, Japan, Kuwait, Malawi, and the Netherlands have been elected to the United Nations Human Rights Council for a three-year term, beginning 1 January 2024. Malawi as well as China, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba and France were re-elected for their second terms. The Human Rights Council, the UN’s premier rights body, is tasked with the responsibility to uphold and advance fundamental freedoms globally. It was created in 2006 and consists of 47 member States, elected via secret ballot by the majority of General Assembly members.

MW2063 PILLAR: AGRICULTURE PRODUCTIVITY AND COMMERCIALISATION

900-Hectare Irrigation Scheme Takes Shape In NkhataBay

The Budget and Finance Committee of Parliament has expressed satisfaction with the progress of Mzenga Irrigation Scheme project in Nkhata Bay District. Speaking on Saturday during a tour of the project, the committee's vice-chairperson Ishmael Mkumba said the project, which is at a 24 percent completion rate, will improve the food situation in the district. The 900-hectare Mzenga Irrigation Scheme is located in Traditional Authority Kabunduli and will cost about K12 billion. (Source: The Nation, 4th October 2023).

MW2063 PILLAR: URBANISATION

Government Launces Public Beach, Tourisnm Facility

Tourism Minister Vera Kamtukule has launched the country's first public beach and integrated tourism facility in Salima district. Speaking during the launch on Friday, the minister commended community members in Traditional Authority Maganga for sacrificing land, which has been allocated to the project. (Source: The Daily Times, 2 October, 2023)

Mzuzu Civic Offices Project Cost Up By K5b

The construction cost of Mzuzu civic offices has gone up by k5.1 billion, Mzuzu City Council (MCC) has confirmed. Initially, the five-store structure was pegged at K 12.1 billion, but a recent revision has hiked the cost to about k 17.28 billion. (Source: The Daily Times, 5th October, 2023).

MW2063 ENABLER: PUBLIC SECTOR PERFORMANCE

PR Professionals Award Tourism Minister

The Public Relations Society of Malawi (PRSM) has presented an award of honorary fellow to Tourism Minister Vera Kamtukule for the visible efforts she is making to raise the profile of Malawi’s tourism industry locally and internationally. Speaking in Mangochi during the PRSM Annual Conference on Friday, PRSM President Ben Linje said Kamtukule’s work and effort resonates with PR ethos of highlighting positivity and promoting the image of Malawi, hence the award. She called on other ministers to emulate Kamtukule’s example of promoting Malawi as tourism and business destination. (Source: PRSM Facebook page)

MW2063 ENABLER: ECONOMIC INFRASTRUCTURE

Malawi Has Lowest Data Prices In Sub-saharan Africa

Recent data from Cable.co.uk, a prominent platform for broadband, television, and phone comparisons, has shown that Malawi has low average data prices, ranking 1st in Sub-Saharan Africa and 29th globally on low data prices. The data used in the report was from June 2023 to September 2023 and it shows that Malawi’s average data price is USD0.38 (approximately MK424) per gigabyte (GB). This is a significant drop in the average data price from data recorded in 2020 which showed that Malawi had the highest data cost in Africa at USD27.41 (approximately MK30,500) per GB (The Daily Times, 6 October 2023).

MW2063 ENABLER: ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

Firm Launches First Electric Car In Malawi

Local renewable energy start-up, Sky Energy Africa, has officially unveiled Malawi's first electric vehicle, the Citroen e-C3 on the market. Speaking during the launch on Friday, Sky Energy Africa founder and Managing Director Schizzo Thomson said the enterprise is a significant stride in the realm of sustainable transportation. He said the EVS would not only address Malawi's fuel scarcity concerns but also make strides in reducing air pollution and carbon emissions that contribute to climate-related disasters. (Source: The Daily Times, 2 October, 2023)

MW2063 PILLAR: AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY AND COMMERCIALISATION

Afreximbank Pledges Support On Mega Farms

President and Board Chairperson Benedict Oramah made the remarks when he had an engagement President with Lazarus Chakwera on Saturday on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, the United States. During their meeting, Oramah assured Malawi of the bank's commitment to financing the development of mega-farms and industrial parks. (Monday, September 25, 2023 - article source: The Daily Times Newspaper)

ILO Hands Over Solar-powered Irrigation System

Ministry of Labor Principal Secretary Wezi Kayira has commended the International Labour Organization (ILO) for complementing the government`s efforts in the promotion of a responsive Labour market through the Work Integrated Learning (WILL) program. Speaking in Lilongwe on Friday at the handover of a solar worth about 10 million to Amazing B Farm, he said the program has helped in equipping youths with practical skills in horticulture enterprises. (Monday 25 September, Source: The Nation Newspaper).

MW2063 PILLAR: URBANISATION

Germany Pledges Urban Development Support

The German Government through its development GIZ has committed to supporting sustainable urban development in the country through the protection of the natural environment and the use of sustainable construction materials. Head of GIZS More Income and Employment in Rural Areas in Malawi (Miera) program, Charlotte Chirimuuta, said this in Lilongwe on Tuesday when GIZ and the National Construction Industry Council (NCIC) signed a letter of intent to support sustainable urban development. (Thursday 28 Sept, Article source: Nation Newspaper)

MW2063 ENABLER: MINDSET CHANGE

People Raise K4.5m to Construct a Bridge

At least 11 people in Mzimba East have teamed up to construct a bridge across Thete River to ease mobility challenges in their area. Speaking in an interview on Tuesday, Thete Bridge construction vice-chairperson Henry Sambo said the communities did not want to wait for politicians or elected leaders to mobilize resources for the project. "Through communal contributions, we have e raised K4.5 million out of the budgeted K6.5 million. We ask well-wishers to help us with the remainder so we can complete construction works before the rainy season." (Thursday 28 September, Article source: Nation newspaper)

Youth To Raise K60m For Health Post

Members of Mwenenguwe Youth Initiative for Development have unveiled plans to cycle from Karongato Lilongwe to raise K60 million for the construction of a health center in Traditional Authority Kyungu. In an interview yesterday, the group's chairperson Arnold Kaonga said the current structure is too small as it is just used for outreach under-five and antennal services. (Thursday 28 September, Article source: Nation newspaper)

MW2063 ENABLER: PRIVATE SECTOR DYNAMISM

UNDP Opens Growth Accelerator Window

About 22 young Malawian entrepreneurs are expected to be recruited in the seventh and eighth cohorts of the United Nations Development Programme (UNPD) Growth Accelerator (GA) matching grant initiatives. Launching the Cohort 7 and 8 agricultural special windows in Lilongwe on Thursday, UNDP resident representative Fenella Frost called on young entrepreneurs to take various challenges facing the country as an opportunity to look at the market and come up with products that attract the international market. (Monday, September 25, 2023 - article source: the nation newspaper)

MW2063 ENABLER: HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT

Malawi Winning Infant HIV Transmission Battle

Malawi is positively making strides in reducing the transmission of HIV to infants, Baylor College of Medicine Children's Foundation Malawi has said. The annual transmission of HIV to infants has dropped to less than 1,000 per year, from 40,000 in 2004. (Thursday 28 September, Article source: The Daily Times Newspaper)

MW2063 ENABLER: ECONOMIC INFRASTRUCTURE

K139M WATER PROJECT TARGETS 12000 PEOPLE

Rumphi District water officer Vincent Holowanya says at least 12,000 people are set to benefit from a k139 million new gravity-fed project in Chitimba. Speaking in an interview on Wednesday, he said the council will tap water from Livingstonia Hills to supply Chitimba. (Friday 22 September, Source: The Nation)

MW2063 ENABLER: EFFECTIVE GOVERNANCE SYSTEMS AND INSTITUTIONS

Malawi Poised to Get $174m Under New ECF

Malawi got one hand on the highly anticipated four-year $174 million Extended Credit Facility (ECF) programme with the IMF after reaching a staff level agreement with the IMF Mission that was in the country since September 12, 2023. Following the agreement, the country awaits the all-important approval from the IMF Executive Board which is expected to consider Malawi’s case in mid-November this year.

Government Records K20b Surplus In July 2023

A monthly review published by the RBM has shown that the Central government’s total revenue hit 246billion against expenditure at MK226 billion in July.

MW 2063 ENABLER: ENHANCED PUBLIC SECTOR PERFORMANCE

Lands ministry completes construction of 659 security houses. 659 houses out of 10,000 are at completion level.

MW2063 ENABLER: HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT

9.1m Children Get Polio Vaccine

The Ministry of Health has disclosed that about 9.1 million children aged 15 years and below have received the second dose of polio vaccine in the country.

MW2063 ENABLER: ECONOMIC INFRASTRUCTURE

EGENCO Explores Geothermal Power

EGENCO has signed a collaboration framework with Kenyan government’s owned Geothermal Development Company for the exploration of power generation from heat produced in the earth’s core in the country. EGENCO says it is looking at geothermal exploration as one way of diversifying the country’s power sources and boost generation capacity.

MW2063 PILLAR: AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY AND COMMERCIALISATION

Pyxus Partners USAID In $44m League Production Venture

Pyxus Agriculture Malawi and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) have announced a new partnership that will see them jointly invest about US$44.6 million to support local farmers increase the production of legume crops. Under the partnership, Pyxus and USAID will work together to increase the availability of high-quality groundnut seed, boost groundnut production and processing, and support the live hoods of smallholder farmers across the country. The partnership will run for five years during which it will support groundnut farmers farmers with financing for high-quality seed, market expansion, value addition and sustainability of high-value varieties that are in demand at international markets. (Source: The Daily Times, 13 September 2023).

MW2063 ENABLER: ECONOMIC INFRASTRUCTURE

Malawi, Tanzania Sign PACT On Data Corridor

The governments of Malawi and Tanzania have signed a commercial agreement that’ll see Malawi accessing internet connectivity from high volume cables in the Indian Ocean through Tanzania at reduced cost. Speaking after signing the agreement, Minister of Information and Digitization Moses Kunkuyu said the agreement will bring down the cost of Internet in Malawi. (Source: The Nation, 12 September 2023).

Project Links Communities to The Internet

Fast Networks Malawi has connected five villages in Traditional Authority Kyungu in Karonga District to affordable internet. Under the project, the organization will also provide computers to a digital committee representing the villages for use in accessing information. Among other things, the project is expected help the youth to be abreast with critical information such as agriculture markets, job vacancies and education opportunities. (Source: The Nation, 12 September, 2023).

RFA Commits K1.2b towards Community Roads

The Roads Fund Authority (RFA) has allocated K1.2 billion in the current financial year towards the maintenance of community roads in 20 districts of the country under the Community Roads Maintenance Programme. RFA board chairperson Mathews Chikankheni said they anticipated the allocation to help improve the state of community roads in the country. (Source: The Nation, 12 September, 2023).

MW2063 PILLAR: AGRICULTURE PRODUCTIVITY AND COMMERCIALIZATION

Linga Irrigation Scheme launch in KhataBay

MW2063 PILLAR: URBANIZATION

The Opening Of Kalipano Hotel In Dowa

MW2063 ENABLER: MINDSET CHANGE

• Nice mindset change engagements are reaching greater masses and taking mw2063 messaging to the hard-to-reach rural areas

• Peace, unity and security technical working group are set up, ready for implementation of various interventions.

MW2063 ENABLER: ENHANCED PUBLIC SECTOR PERFORMANCE

Re-activation of the Open Government Partnership (OGP), and its action plan (2023 -2025) was launched by H.E. on 6th June, 2023. The implementation of the action plan is now in progress. This initiative will encourage strong transparency and accountability in public institutions.

MW2063 ENABLER: PRIVATE SECTOR DYNAMISM

MDC Registration

Kondwani Kachamba is Coming Up with All in Like Ali Baba

MW2063 ENABLER: HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT

Arrival of Magnetic Resonance Imagining (MRI) machine used for disease detection, diagnosis and treatment monitoring at the Lilongwe Institute of Orthopedics and Neurosurgery – LION

MW2063 ENABLER: ECONOMIC INFRASTRUCTURE

• Impressive progress on the crossroads kanengo section of the m1 road with bitumen on area 18 to kanengo section
• Press Corporation Limited secures land for 50mw solar farm in Lilongwe, and compensation have been paid already

MW2063 ENABLER: ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

The Department of Forestry (DoF) has implemented an intervention called “Promote natural regeneration” in which 17,766 hectares have been managed and 81, 038, 522 tree seedlings have been planted. This is a very commendable achievement and if this trajectory continues, the negative impacts of environmental degradation and climate change will be reduced.