The African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved a total of $73-million to finance the rehabilitation of the Mzuzu–Nkhata Bay road and the construction of irrigation schemes across Malawi.

The bank says in a statement that, out of the financial package comprising loans and grants, $33,2-million has been earmarked for the construction of the Mzuzu–Nkhata Bay road while $39,98-million will be used for the irrigation project.

The Mzuzu–Nkhata Bay road is one of the major trunk roads prioritised in government’s Road Sector Programme, as it links the northern region of the country to the central and southern regions.

“The road, once rehabilitated, will support economic growth sectors in the northern region and is expected to benefit an estimated 342 211 people living in the two districts by improving access to markets, schools, and health centres and other socioeconomic centres.

“In addition to the above, the road is located on the Mtwara Development Corridor and therefore serves international freight traffic from Zambia and Tanzania. It is an important road link, not only for domestic connectivity but also for regional trade and integration,” the AfDB says.

Transport and Infrastructure Development Minister Sidik Mia has commended the AfDB for making available the funds, saying the Malawi government wants the work to start immediately because the road is in poor condition.

“Soon there will be a signing agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the AfDB, and after that, we will advertise for bids,” says Mia.

On the irrigation project, the AfDB says the project’s aim is to contribute to food security, increased income levels and poverty reduction, and the specific objectives are to increase agricultural production and productivity through intensification of irrigation, crop diversification, value addition and capacity building.

“The project will benefit 11 400 farm families, of which more than 50% are headed by women.

“A total of about 450 000 people will indirectly benefit from project activities through enhanced crop production, diversification and developing high value chains,” the AfDB says.

The project will also ensure ownership by the beneficiaries through participation in supervision, monitoring, evaluation, afforestation activities, matching grant arrangement for equipment and training.