Landscape in Central Malawi
Copyright© Stevie Mann/ILRI, via flickr, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
Malawi A small country facing big challenges
This is because the state lacks the money, efficient administrative structures and qualified staff needed to do so. Whilst the government is willing to pursue reforms and advance the country's development, efforts so far have failed to bring about tangible improvements to people's living conditions. Malawi is one of the world's least developed countries (LDCs).
Development cooperation
The primary goal of the development cooperation between Germany and Malawi is to fight poverty and foster sustainable development in Malawi. Cooperation focuses on improving basic education and health and fostering private sector development in rural communities. Thus the aim of development interventions is to directly improve the lives of Malawi's people. There are also interventions designed to enhance the state's capacities and strengthen its resilience.
German development cooperation with Malawi
The primary goal of development cooperation with Malawi is poverty reduction. Germany's current activities are focused on supporting the Malawian government's growth and development strategy MGDS III and on implementing programmes that will have a direct benefit for the people of Malawi.
At government negotiations in October 2019, the German government newly pledged 45.3 million euros to Malawi for development cooperation. As interim pledges had already been made previously, including for reconstruction after Cyclone Idai, the total amount of German support for 2018 and 2019 is 91.3 million euros.
In addition, Malawi will receive funds of up to 43.6 million euros for the two-year period through the Special Initiative “Transformation of Agricultural and Food Systems”. They are intended to support agricultural innovations and improve food security.
The two sides agreed on the following priority areas of cooperation:
- Primary education
- Health (including social protection)
- Private sector development in rural areas
In addition, Germany is supporting the efforts of the Malawian government to improve public financial management. The aim of this support is to improve accountability and transparency, to increase the state’s own revenues and to ensure that financial resources are used efficiently.