The African Development Bank (AfDB) has given Malawi $1 million (about K1.7 billion) to support emergency food relief following the signing of a financing agreement with the Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning and Decentralisation.
The AfDB gesture comes amid rising food insecurity, tight fiscal space and climate-related shocks, with the Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committee report showing that about four million people require food assistance during the 2025-26 lean season.
Speaking during the signing of the agreement in Lilongwe on Wednesday, Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Decentralisation Joseph Mwanamvekha said the funding was timely as the government grapples with growing humanitarian pressure.
He assured AfDB that the money will be used prudently and transparently to reach intended beneficiaries, adding that government will immediately put in place administrative arrangements, including opening a dedicated account for the funds.
In his remarks, AfDB country director MacMillan Anyawu said while the amount was modest, its importance lay in its timing given Malawi’s current macroeconomic challenges.
“This is a small amount of money, but it is coming at a very auspicious time when Malawi is facing unprecedented macroeconomic challenges and a tight fiscal position,” he said.
The AfDB support builds on a long-standing partnership between Malawi and the bank, which has previously provided assistance during crises such as the Covid-19 pandemic, Cyclone Freddy and El Niño-related shocks.
