First Vice-President Jane Ansah has asked the United Kingdom to support the country in trade, investment, mining and tourism to build strong partnerships other than traditional aid to drive Malawi’s economic recovery.
Speaking yesterday when British High Commissioner Leigh Stubblefield paid a courtesy call at her Capital Hill office in Lilongwe, the Vice-President said the four sectors are critical to Malawi’s economic growth, job creation and sustainable development.
Ansah said Malawi is positioning itself as a proactive partner in regional and global markets and is seeking the UK’s backing to unlock that potential.
“We seek the United Kingdom’s support towards our drive in trade, investment, mining and tourism,” she said.
Ansah told the diplomat that the “four Fs” standing for fertiliser shortages, food insecurity, fuel scarcity and foreign exchange constraints continue to weigh heavily on economic performance.
She said government has implemented short-term interventions, including procurement of food and fertiliser and efforts to stabilise fuel supplies, as highlighted in the recent State of the Nation Address.
“In the long term, authorities are pursuing sustainable solutions to address structural economic challenges, reduce inflation and improve macroeconomic stability,” said Ansah.
In her remarks, Stubblefield said Malawi’s economic challenges require more than aid.
“The challenges facing Malawi are not an aid-shaped problem, they are an investment-shaped problem,” she said.
Stubblefield added that the UK is already investing in hydropower, mining and agribusiness to stimulate economic growth and help narrow the fiscal gap.
She also commended Malawi for achieving its fourth peaceful transfer of power, describing it as a milestone that should not be taken for granted.
