By Wezzie Gausi:
The Ministry of Local Government, Unity and Culture has said small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are critical actors in intra-Africa trade and operationalisation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The ministry has since urged Local Government Authorities (LGAs) to support SMEs’ growth and development.
This comes as the nation is preparing for African Day of Decentralisation and Local Development.
In an interview, the ministry’s spokesperson Anjoya Mwanza said intra-Africa trade aims at creating a spider of localised businesses for SMEs by structuring an integrated network of exchange of goods and services throughout the continent.
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“Most African countries have entrusted the subnational and local governments with the responsibility to plan and implement economic and spatial development of their territories.
“Subnational and local governments are expected to adopt policies and strategies that favour Local Economic Development (LED), territorial attractiveness, growth of WMEs and job creation, amongst others,” Mwanza said.
Malawi Local Government Authority (Malga) Executive Director Hadrod Mkandawire said Malawi has made significant progress in devolving the functional area of LGAs.
He said the functions that were previously under the Central Government are now being managed by LGAs, which is a good thing.
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“We can proudly say that many sectors have been devolved to LGAs. However, the financing of the activities under the LGAs are still managed by the Central Government.
“If the LGAs are to be fully independent, there is a need for adequate funding towards all authorities and these funds must be managed by the LGAs themselves,” Mkandawire said.
