World Bank executivesto visit Malawi
World Bank managing director for operations Anna Bjerde alongside regional vice-president for Eastern and Southern Africa Victoria Kwakwa are expected in the country tomorrow.
Their visit comes against the backdrop of Cyclone Freddy and multiple socio-economic shocks that have hit the country, from Covid-19 to the year-long cholera outbreak, to Tropical Storms Ana and Gombe in 2022.
In a statement yesterday, the World Bank office in Lilongwe said the visit, the first to Malawi for both leaders, will start with a tour to Cyclone Freddy affected areas in Blantyre City.
The two World Bank executives will get a brief on the post disaster needs assessment while discussing recovery efforts with key government departments.
Reads the statement in part: “The delegation will also meet with President Lazarus Chakwera and key ministers to discuss the World Bank partnership with Malawi.”
The statement quotes Bjerde as having said the World Bank has been working closely with the government and international partners to ensure a rapid response to Mal awi ’ s urgent needs resulting from Cyclone Freddy as well as the wider economic challenges the country is facing.
She said: “Our visit aims to reaffirm our strong partnership with Malawi during a very challenging period and to discuss how the World Bank can best provide support in line with the country ’s ambitious agenda for economic reform and recovery.”
During their visit, Bjerde and Kwakwa will also get firsthand feedback from stakeholders supported through the bank’s funded Agricultural Commercialisation Project which is helping to increase commercialisation of agriculture value chain products.
They will also tour the Lilongwe Water and Sanitation Project which is increasing access to clean water through upgrades and utility efficiency reforms.
The twoexecutives are expected to meet with Malawian women in leadership positions, representing the public sector, private enterprise and civil society to discuss how the bank can do more to empower young women and girls through its programmes.
The World Bank is currently financing 21 projects in Malawi valued at $2.5 billion (about K2.5 trillion) in addition to five regional operations through which Malawi accesses $343 million (about K345 billion) in financing, thus a total commitment of $2.8 billion (about K2.8 trillion).
Water and sanitation, education, social protection, energy, and agriculture are the other focus areas the bank is supporting.
