By Dean Chisambo
Minister of Water and Sanitation, Abida Mia, has set her sights on making Malawi one of the top-performing governments in delivering clean water for all, in line with the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on water and sanitation.
Mia made these remarks in Lilongwe during a multi-stakeholder international leadership forum.
She stated that the British government is ensuring Malawi’s inclusion in the Just Water Fund Programme and other water-related projects due to the country’s commendable performance in the sector.
Mia said: “We are having a very interesting and collaborative conversation to ensure that everyone moves forward faster. We need to accelerate our efforts in addressing water challenges.”
She emphasized the need for increased funding and grants to address Malawi’s water challenges, highlighting that water security is critical for national development.
On his part, Water Witness International Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Nick Hepworth, stressed the importance of building strong structures in society to guarantee universal access to water and sanitation.
Hepworth revealed that these structures would also help tackle issues of resilience, climate change impacts, floods, and droughts while ensuring sufficient water supply for agriculture and industry, which are key to economic growth.
He further stated that Malawi has been identified as a strategic partner by the United Kingdom government, presenting opportunities for enhanced water and sanitation programmes.
Hepworth noted that the UK government values its partnership with Malawi, as the country’s economic and social development is closely tied to water access.
He pointed out that many Malawians still lack access to safe water and sanitation, while water-intensive sectors such as agriculture require urgent attention to ensure sustainable water availability.
Additionally, Hepworth acknowledged that Malawi has suffered from cycles of devastating droughts and floods, which further complicate water security efforts.
He said: “Malawi has been identified by the UK government due to the leadership shown by the government, particularly through the establishment of the Ministry of Water and Sanitation and the President’s commitment to the WASH Compact.”
Hepworth added that, due to Malawi’s strong leadership in the water sector, Minister Abida Mia has been invited to Buckingham Palace by King Charles III next week to share insights and lessons with other global leaders.
In 2012, the world agreed at the Rio de Janeiro summit in Brazil to ensure water security and clean water for all by 2030.
