In recent years, the agricultural sector in Malawi has grown at an average rate of around 6% annually, however, the sector remains fragile and suffers from seasonal changes and commodity price shocks on the international markets. The Malawian government has recognised the vulnerability of Malawi’s biggest industry and designed The Malawi Growth and Development Strategy II (MGDS II) to combat economic vulnerabilities by strengthening the country’s productive capacity. At the heart of this strategy is the objective to increase private sector involvement across the entire Malawian economy; infrastructural development, energy demands, access to foreign markets and the agricultural sector are all expected to benefit from increased private sector investment under close government regulation.

Mokoro associate Hannock Kumwenda participated in this long-term assignment with the principal objective of assisting the Government in improving opportunities for private sector investments in agriculture, food security and nutrition in Malawi. The role involved; engaging with all key stakeholders in government, private sector, civil society and development partners, to achieve policy commitments made under the G8 New Alliance. Similarly, support was given in implementing the G8 NA as per the monitoring framework and ensuring its integration in existing structures.