EDF charts new path for infrastructure

EDF Paves the Way for Malawi’s Infrastructure Revolution, Powering Business Growth and Investment Opportunities

Post was last updated: November 26, 2025

Key Business Points

  • Strengthening institutional cooperation and project preparation is crucial to unlocking Malawi’s infrastructure financing bottlenecks and achieving economic transformation.
  • Public-private partnerships (PPPs) offer a practical route to fast-tracking project delivery and crowding in private investment, with successful examples seen in South Africa’s independent power producer programme and regional transmission initiatives.
  • Building technical skills and institutional partnerships is essential to deliver projects that can attract private capital and withstand financial scrutiny, ultimately positioning Malawi as a competitive player within the African Continental Free Trade Area.

Malawi’s Export Development Fund (EDF) has emphasized the need to strengthen the country’s ability to structure bankable infrastructure projects, citing the importance of infrastructure as the foundation of economic transformation. According to EDF board chairperson Ted Nakhumwa, infrastructure is not optional, but essential, and financing it requires innovative solutions and strong partnerships. He argued that public-private partnerships (PPPs) can help fast-track project delivery and crowd in private investment, which is critical for achieving meaningful regional integration and expanding Malawi’s industrial base.

EDF managing director Frederick Chanza noted that global volatility and shrinking donor support have made development finance institutions more crucial than ever, and that Malawi should improve its ability to structure and package projects that can attract long-term private capital. He emphasized that infrastructure financing is not just about mobilising money, but also about creating confidence and managing risk. To achieve this, Malawi needs to build the technical skills and institutional partnerships required to deliver projects that can attract private capital and withstand financial scrutiny.

The recent meeting hosted by EDF in partnership with the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) Development Finance Resource Centre brought together participants from commercial banks, development finance institutions, public and private investors to discuss PPP frameworks, project structuring, risk allocation, procurement, contract management, and financial modelling. Sadc Development Finance Resource Centre chief executive officer Zweli Sapula cited successful examples of PPP models in South Africa, highlighting the potential for such frameworks to reduce perceived risk and attract private capital.

As wakuguzi (investors) and wafanyabiashara (businesspeople) in Malawi, it is essential to recognize the importance of strong institutional partnerships and technical skills in delivering bankable infrastructure projects. The meeting facilitated by infrastructure and project finance specialist Nathaniel Munetsi aimed to help institutions identify bankable opportunities and strengthen governance systems, ultimately positioning Malawi to attract long-term capital from banks, pension funds, and development finance institutions. By leveraging kudzingilira kwa pamoja (partnerships) and ufundi (technical skills), Malawi can unlock its infrastructure financing potential and achieve economic growth, making it an attractive destination for wafanyabiashara and wakuguzi.

Source Link

What are your thoughts on this business development? Share your insights and remember to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest Malawi business news and opportunities. Visit us daily for comprehensive coverage of Malawi’s business landscape.

Vanessa Banda
Latest posts by Vanessa Banda (see all)
Post Views: 195