Malawi gets K12 billion grant from Iceland

Malawi Wednesday signed an agreement worth about K12 billion with Iceland for the Nkhotakota Basic Social Service Programme.

Head of mission at the embassy of the Iceland Inga Dora Petursdottir has said this is a grant to enhance social services in the lakeshore district.

The programme, which will run for four years, will see the construction of early childhood development centres, enhanced primary school education, sanitation and improved livelihoods for people of Nkhotakota, according to Petursdottir.

“The programme focuses on improving basic services in the sectors of maternal and child health services, primary education, water and sanitation infrastructure, women and youths empowerment and capacity strengthening of the district councils to ensure effective delivery of services,” she said.

Petursdottir said the programme will roll out by next week.

Meanwhile, Minister of Finance Sosten Gwengwe has said the good working relationship that Malawi has with Iceland is bearing fruits.

“They were in Mangochi implementing a similar project and from Mangochi, they are going to Nkhotakota. This gives us confidence that Iceland is here to stay and to uplift lives of Malawians,” Gwengwe said.

Minister of Local Government Richard Chimwendo Banda said government will make sure there is value for money during the implementation of the programme.