LILONGWE, Wednesday, 16 April 2025 – In a landmark step towards accelerating progress on national development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Government of Malawi, through the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, in collaboration with the United Nations, through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has officially launched two strategic financing instruments: the Integrated National Financing Framework (INFF) and the Malawi SDG Investor Map.

The launch event, held at the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe, brought together key stakeholders from government, development partners, the private sector, and civil society. The two tools are designed to close financing gaps, align public and private investment with national priorities under Malawi 2063, and strengthen the country’s resilience amidst ongoing macroeconomic challenges.

Responding to Economic Pressures with Strategic Financing 

Malawi is navigating a complex economic landscape, characterised by modest GDP growth of 1.6% in 2024, inflation exceeding 30%, and public debt reaching 86% of GDP. Compounded by climate-related shocks—droughts and floods—these dynamics have strained fiscal stability and increased the urgency for innovative solutions.

The INFF and SDG Investor Map provide a coordinated, data-driven approach to resource mobilization. Together, they are expected to catalyse public-private investments in critical sectors such as agriculture, renewable energy, infrastructure, and tourism.

However, the realisation of the full benefits of these instruments will depend critically on the effective and coordinated implementation by all stakeholders, ensuring that strategies are not only adopted but vigorously executed.

Hon. Simplex Chithyola Banda, Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, stressed the importance of integrating these tools into national systems:

“Today, I urge every stakeholder here to act in ensuring that the INFF and the SDG investor map are fully utilised in achieving the nation’s development goals. Government agencies, integrate the INFF into your planning. Development partners, align your support with our development strategy and financing strategy. The private sector, explore the Investor Map and co-create solutions. Together, we can turn our development vision into reality not with rhetoric, but with realism.”

Hon. Vitumbiko Mumba, Minister of Industry and Trade, emphasized the transformative nature of the SDG Investor Map:

“The Malawi SDG Investor Map is more than a document; it is a pathway towards our shared vision of prosperity, sustainability, and dignity for every Malawian. Let us seize this opportunity and work together, the government, private sector, academia, civil society and development partners alike to turn these opportunities into reality.”

International Support and Strategic Alignment 

Speaking on behalf of the United Nations system, Ms. Rebecca Adda-Dontoh, UN Resident Coordinator in Malawi, highlighted the global importance of Malawi’s efforts and the need for innovative financing mechanisms:

"Recalling the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, governments, international organisations, the private sector, and civil society need to do more to increase financial resources for sustainable development. This calls for more innovative and practical solutions to bridge the financing gap."

She added:

"Moreover, the global development financing landscape is facing significant headwinds, marked by recent policy shifts and aid cuts. This amplifies the need for developing countries, like Malawi, to do more in expanding domestic financing for development. It cannot be business as usual.”

Ms. Fenella Frost, UNDP Resident Representative, reiterated UNDP’s commitment:

"These tools are not just technical solutions—they are enablers of systemic change. By combining the INFF's strategic financing approach with the SDG Investor Map's market-driven opportunities, we are creating a blueprint for inclusive growth."

Mr. Firas Raad, Country Manager for the World Bank in Malawi, offered a global perspective on the potential for progress:

“I don’t believe that demography and geography are destiny. I don’t think the challenges this country is facing are insurmountable, but it will take a lot of work to achieve 2030 and 2063. Malawi can take heart that many countries have been able to make the transition from low income to middle income and then upper income to high income, but it does take decades of sustained reforms and investment to make sure that the modernization process goes forward.”

Mr. Rune Skinnebach, Ambassador of the Delegation of the European Union to Malawi, highlighted the need for Malawi to not only foster a stable investment environment but also to outpace regional competitors by translating policy commitments into tangible action: 

"It's not enough to create a predictable and secure investment climate. We also need to create an investment climate which is more attractive than neighbouring countries. It's not enough that we strengthen the government's commitment to private sector development. We also need that commitment to materialise and needs to be stronger than in neighbouring countries, because everybody is competing for investment now. Additionally, tackling cartels should be entrusted to legally mandated bodies such as the Competition and Fair Trading Commission (CFTC), which the EU will be actively supporting."

Features of the Tools

Integrated National Financing Framework (INFF):

• Provides a comprehensive strategy to increase domestic revenue, enhance budget credibility, and align financing with national development priorities.
• Promotes policy reforms, sustainable debt management, and innovative financing instruments such as SDG-linked bonds and blended finance.
• Strengthens local financial systems to promote inclusivity, with a focus on marginalized communities.

Malawi SDG Investor Map:

• Identifies commercially viable, high-impact investment opportunities aligned with Malawi 2063 and the SDGs.
• Highlights priority sectors—agriculture, renewable energy, infrastructure, and services—where development outcomes can be combined with financial returns.
• Addresses private investment barriers through de-risking tools and supportive policy environments.

The private sector also echoed the call for action. Ms. Daisy Kambalame, CEO of the Malawi Confederation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (MCCCI), remarked:

“Let’s take those tough decisions right now. It might not make political sense, but it will still salvage the economy, and we will all actually benefit and grow.”

On ensuring alignment with the Malawi Implementation Plan and Vision 2063, Dr. Joseph Nagoli, Acting Director General of the National Planning Commission, said:

“The Integrated National Financing Strategy and the SDG Investor Maps are already translating the first Malawi Implementation Plan into action— a plan that is itself aligned with our regional and global aspirations.”

He further emphasized: “Having a plan is one thing; implementing it is another. To achieve timely impact, it is essential that we collectively commit to executing what has been planned, with a strong focus on coordinated implementation and financing.” 

Way Forward: Coordination, Promotion, and Partnership

Following the launch, stakeholders pledged to:

• Operationalize the Development Coordination Group to monitor and support INFF implementation.
• Actively promote the SDG Investor Map to attract global investment.
• Strengthen multisectoral partnerships to maximise the impact of financing flows.

A Decisive Step Toward the 2030 Agenda

With fewer than five years remaining to meet the SDGs, Malawi's adoption of the INFF and SDG Investor Map demonstrates a bold, forward-looking approach to development financing. These initiatives position Malawi at the forefront of innovative, inclusive, and sustainable finance as the world prepares for the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) later in 2025.

About the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs

The ministry’s mandate is to formulate economic and fiscal policies to manage government financial and material resources and provide strategic guidance on economic and development planning based on accurate and reliable statistics to attain socio-economic development.

About UNDP Malawi

UNDP Malawi works closely with the Government of Malawi, civil society, and other partners to promote sustainable development. As the UN’s development agency, UNDP is dedicated to eradicating poverty and fostering resilience in line with the Sustainable Development Goals.

For more information: 

UNDP Malawi Communications Support
Contact: Blessings Phumisa, Communications Analyst

Email: comms.support.mw@undp.org

Telephone: +265888301039

Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs

Contact: Williams Banda, Public Relations Officer 

Email: williams.banda@finance.gov.mw

Tel: +265993377777 

UN Malawi Resident Coordinator’s Office

Contact: Bennet Phunyanya, Associate Communications Officer

Email: bennet.phunyanya@undp.org

Telephone: +265884307026