Minister of Energy Ibrahim Matola has described the ‘Putting Energy to Work’ project which the Emerging Development (EnDev) Malawi, under GIZ has launched as key in promoting Agricultural Productivity in the country.
The aim of the project which has been launched on Thursday in Lilongwe, is to promote Productive use of Energy (PUE) in Malawi.
The launch also marks the official roll out of the results-based financing (RBF) facility of the project to be managed by GIZ implementing partner, United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF).
Speaking after the launch, Matola said the initiative will help to complement President Lazarus Chakwera’s vision of improving agricultural production through energy sector.
“This will complement President Lazarus Chakwera vision where he has chosen three sectors, Agriculture, Tourism and Mining in what is called ATM. When you look at this ATM strategy, energy is enabler and we need to have energy so that mega farms issues can be realized because of electricity availability, affordability and sustainability.
“The smart Agriculture from the component of ATM can not only be realized by relying on rain third Agriculture but we need to go into solar irrigation into mega farms which Dr. Chakwera is championing and with that we can be able to harvesting three times a year,” said Matola
German Ambassador to Malawi Ute Konig said the project reflects the German Government’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding inclusivity and ensuring that no one is left behind in Malawi’s development.
“Iam overjoyed to learn that the project has made it possible to demonstrate how important it is for women, young people and those with varying degrees of disability to drive Malawi’s sustainable development agenda,” said Konig
Taking his turn, EU Ambassador to Malawi, Rune Skinnebach said; “as part of the larger Wala Malawi Energy Programme financed by the EU, this component on Productive Use of Energy speaks perfectly to the Malawi Vision 2063 and is an excellent example of joint efforts of the EU and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Corporation and Development in support of the Malawian Energy Policy”.
The project is jointly funded by the European Union (EU) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
It emerges as a pivital step towards promoting sustainable growth and industry through expansion of access to renewable energy which will significantly lead to a surge in the country’s economic activities.
Additionally, the project is in line with the country’s National Energy Policy (2018), the Doha Programme of Action for Least Developed countries and the 2023 Agenda for sustainable development, all of which place a strong emphasis on developing emerging markets in the energy sector.
