OPEC Fund to aid Malawi's development goals in water, transportation sectors

MALAWI: The OPEC Fund for International Development has inked a US$15 million loan arrangement with the government of Malawi to improve health and living conditions for about 100,000 people by increasing water supply and expanding sanitation systems in Dowa Town and neighbouring areas.

The OPEC Fund will also contribute $350,000 to co-finance a technical and economic feasibility assessment for a new airport in Mzuzu City.

During a visit to Malawi, OPEC Fund Director-General Dr. Abdulhamid Alkhalifa signed the water and sanitation sector loan agreement, saying, “Clean water supply is essential for the wellbeing and livelihood of the local community and for overall social and economic progress. This is also reflected in Sustainable Development Goal #6 – ‘Clean Water and Sanitation’. For the OPEC Fund this project is a welcome contribution to the delivery of sustainable development and I take great pride in seeing the fruits of our partnership during my visit to Malawi.”

Malawi, a Sub-Saharan African country, has made tremendous progress in delivering drinkable water to its population, with coverage of roughly 88 percent. However, there are significant inequalities between geographic regions and income levels, particularly in terms of sanitation and hygiene services.

Dowa Town, in Malawi's central area, is in need of upgraded water treatment infrastructure.

Meanwhile, sanitation conditions at the district hospital and the Dzaleka refugee camp are particularly deplorable, resulting in a high prevalence of waterborne infections.

The investment seeks to ensure complete coverage and continuous access to water and sanitary facilities.

For that purpose, the project will comprise the building of a 14,300-m3/day water treatment plant, a pumping station, and a 51-kilometer-long distribution pipeline, as well as the installation of new communal water points and the repair of existing ones.

The replacement of the sewage system at the Dowa district hospital and the installation of sanitation facilities at the Dzaleka refugee camp are also included.

Mzuzu City's new airport feasibility study

Furthermore, the OPEC Fund is providing Malawi with a US$350,000 grant to co-finance a technical and economic feasibility assessment for a new airport in Mzuzu City, the northern region's capital.

The projected regional airport will boost economic development by providing dependable commercial and non-commercial flying services.

To date, the OPEC Fund has committed US$207 million to Malawi, helping to strengthen the country's agriculture, education, health, and transportation sectors.

*The OPEC Fund for International Development (the OPEC Fund) is the only globally mandated development institution that only lends money to non-member nations.