….Government appeals for urgent support in agriculture, infrastructure, and industry as communities face hunger, fuel shortages, and foreign exchange pressures
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika has called on the World Bank and other international partners to step up support for Malawi’s development, stressing that urgent intervention is needed to address the country’s deepening economic challenges.
At Mtunthama State Lodge in Lilongwe, the President met with Ndiame Diop, Deputy Head of the World Bank for Eastern and Southern Africa, to discuss strategies that could help stabilize the economy and improve livelihoods for millions of Malawians.
“These are challenging times for our nation,” President Mutharika said. “Malawi is grappling with hunger, fuel shortages, insufficient fertilizer supply, and severe foreign exchange constraints that are affecting businesses and households alike. We need immediate assistance to mitigate these hardships.”
Highlighting agriculture as a critical sector, the President called for rapid delivery of farming inputs such as fertilizers and seeds to ensure the next planting season is not compromised.
He noted that rural communities, which depend almost entirely on smallholder farming, are particularly vulnerable to crop failures without this support.
“Without timely access to these inputs, food security is at risk,” he said. “This is not just an economic issue; it is a matter of survival for our farmers and their families.”
President Mutharika also emphasized the importance of support for industrial development, mining, and infrastructure projects.
He pointed to ongoing initiatives like the rehabilitation of key road networks linking agricultural zones to urban markets and the expansion of irrigation schemes in central and southern Malawi as areas where World Bank assistance could have immediate impact.
Ndiame Diop assured the President that the World Bank remains committed to supporting Malawi’s development agenda.
He cited specific projects, including the $150 million Governance to Enable Service Delivery (GESD 2.0) programme, aimed at improving urban infrastructure and public service delivery, and the Malawi Irrigation and Climate Resilient Agriculture project, which targets increased crop yields for smallholder farmers in vulnerable districts.
Local farmers and community leaders welcomed the call for international support. Mary Banda, a smallholder farmer from Dedza, said delays in fertilizer supply have threatened her maize harvest.
“If the World Bank can help deliver fertilizers and support irrigation, it will change our lives. Many of us depend on farming to feed our families and send children to school,” she said.
Economists note that targeted interventions from international partners could help stabilize the national economy while creating employment opportunities. “Support in agriculture, infrastructure, and industry has a multiplier effect — improving food security, boosting local production, and enabling trade,” said economist Dr. Lawrence Phiri.
President Mutharika suggested that some of the planned interventions could be implemented within the next 12 to 18 months, starting with immediate support for fertilizer distribution ahead of the planting season. Infrastructure projects, including road rehabilitation and market development, could roll out over a two-to-three-year period, creating both jobs and long-term growth potential.
The President concluded the meeting with a message of cautious optimism.
“With the support of the World Bank and other development partners, Malawi can overcome current economic hurdles. Together, we can build a resilient, prosperous nation that provides opportunities for every citizen,” he said.
As Malawi navigates these challenging times, the collaboration between government, international partners, and local communities could be a turning point in securing food security, improving livelihoods, and ensuring sustainable economic growth.