Norway has pledged to continue providing development support to Malawi despite growing pressure on global aid financing that has seen some partners scaling down their assistance to poorer countries.
Norwegian Ambassador Anne Sofie Bjelland, speaking during Norway’s Constitution Day celebrations in Lilongwe on Tuesday evening, said her country remained committed to cooperating with Malawi even as international development financing becomes increasingly constrained.
| Jacob Nankhonya
“This is a difficult time also for financing for development, but we are committed to continue,” she said.
Bjelland said Norway could explore “new ways of cooperating” and adjust priorities in future programmes while sustaining support for Malawi’s development agenda.
The envoy described the Constitution Day, which falls on May 17, as Norway’s most important national event after Christmas Eve and said it reflected the country’s commitment to democracy, the rule of law, freedom and equality.
“At these times, I think this is something that we have to stress often,” she said.
Minister of Defence Feston Kaupa, who represented Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation George Chaponda as the guest of honour, said Norway has remained a reliable partner during Malawi’s economic challenges, climate shocks and food insecurity.
He said cooperation between the two countries had grown into one of Malawi’s key development partnerships, spanning health, agriculture, education, democracy, climate change and social protection.
“True partnership is not measured only in moments of prosperity, but also in the willingness to stand together during times of difficulty,” said Kaupa.
The minister cited recent Norwegian-backed initiatives, including support for resilient livelihoods programmes, food assistance through the World Food Programme and a K55 billion financing agreement targeting Malawi’s health sector, wealth creation and food security.
Kaupa said Malawi was now seeking to broaden ties with Norway beyond aid towards trade and investment.
Malawi and Norway have maintained formal bilateral cooperation since 1997, with the Royal Norwegian Embassy opening in Lilongwe in 2000.
