Category: Business & Commerce
Women cooperative in Mangochi Makes Financial Progress
By Evance Chisiano Mangochi, Mana: Mwalamba Women Fish Processing Cooperative in Mangochi are making strides in fish processing and ice block making but says reliable water source and hydroelectricity are set back to their aspiration towards entrepreneurship for sustainable value addition. The women grouping buy and process fish for value addition with K30 million financial assistance from Christian Aid. The women cooperative chairperson Phales Dinesi said this on Wednesday when Minister of Gender Community Service and Social Welfare Patricia Kaliati visited the cooperative at Group Village head Balkamanja, Traditional authority Nankumba area in Mangochi. According to Dinesi, the 23 member women cooperative buy usipa, chambo and ndunduma and process them through sun drying before packaging for sale in Blantyre and Lilongwe markets. She added that the women also make ice blocks that sale faster but she said they are failing to satisfy the growing demand, “We can’t make enough ice blocks due to low power,” she said, adding that the solar and newly installed wind powered electricity fail to supply enough power for larger production of ice blocks. She therefore asked the government to push Electricity Supply Commission of Malawi (ESCOM) to install a transformer closer to the ice block making plant to allow them to increase the production of ice blocks and increase storage capacity of the processed fish. Mwalamba Women Fish Processing Cooperative started in 2016 but Christian Aid came in with financial and technical support in 2018 while the ice plant was installed in a newly built infrastructure in 2020. Christian Aid Programmes Assistant James Nyirenda said the organisation has been assisting the women cooperative from 2018 and will end their financial and technical assistance in 2022 with satisfaction that the women group will sustain the fish processing and ice block making. With financial assistance from the European Union, Christian Aid in partnership with NBS Bank and Eagle Relief provided the women with business development skills, loan management, fish processing and value addition apart from other skills that were meant to sustain their activities. “It is pleasing that the women’s income at house hold level has improved,” said Nyirenda. He disclosed that the Christian Aid is also supporting women cooperatives in other traditional authorities in Mangochi which are implemented under the banner ‘Breaking the barrier; Promoting Women Entrepreneurship in Sustainable Energy Value Chain through Innovative Approaches’. Kaliati commended the women Mwalamba Fish Processing Cooperative for their hard work spirit towards self-reliance, saying her ministry cherishes women that are the center of development. She said she will discuss with relevant ministry on the electricity and water issues as the two components are crucial to spur the women’s economic aspirations for sustainability. The minister also hailed Christian Aid for assisting the Mwalamba Women Fish Processing Cooperative to attain their aspiration of being one of the most innovative women group in the country. Kaliati also attended Nankumba Economic Empowerment Fair in the district where Christian Aid, Salvation Army, African Seed Company, Welt Hunger Hilfe and other development partners displayed their products and innovations.
MCC SEZ project attracts international investors
By Enalla Mnyenyembe and Fiona Manda Mzuzu, September 19, Mana: Mzuzu City Council (MCC) Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Project set to start December, 2021 has attracted international investors and is earmarked to be the hub of agribusiness. Government is establishing SEZs to fast-track sustainable economic growth and development through industrialization in agro-processing in various parts of the country. In an interview Friday on the sidelines of a meeting between MCC and investors in Mzuzu, Mayor for Mzuzu City, Kondwani Brian Nyasulu, said the Council has set aside 53 hectares of land at Dunduzu for the project and that foreign and local investors have expresses interest. “The investors are very impressed with the calibre of the projects that we have in the city hence their interest to invest in this project,” he said. Nyasulu said government has set aside K2 billion which would be split among Mzuzu, Lilongwe and Blantyre cities to finance the project. “We have chosen Dunduzu area as the site for the project and the government has already given us funds for compensation so anytime the project will commence. “The project will have fish canning, diary, fruit industries, honey industries and many others,” he said. Among the investors that have showed interests are in the project are Lidwala Consulting Engineers, Thetha plan Design Studio both Gwebu Inc., Attorneys and Hunley Capital Representative for Lidwala Consulting Engineers from South Africa, Thomas Lungu said the company learnt about the project through working with Hunley Capital which is a local company. “Working with Hunley Capital and we have identified MCC as one of the key areas that had been identified in Malawi for development. “We have come to engage with Mzuzu city council to give a clear picture of their vision and what they intend to achieve as we are providing technical expertise, with our own initial investment we will go out and look for finances for the execution of this project,” he said.
Roads Authority for local company empowerment
By Mphatso Nkuonera Lilongwe, Mana: Roads Authority (RA) has said the country can do better if local construction companies were entrusted to carry projects which have for long been monopolized by foreign construction companies. Roads Authority’s Chairperson, Joe Ching’ani, made these remarks on Monday in an interview with Malawi News Agency (Mana). “Malawian construction entities should have a major share in the national cake in as far as the construction industry is concerned, because you are sure they will employ Malawians.” “Not only if you accord construction business to local firms, you are sure of having a widened tax base and assured that they will not externalize foreign exchange,” he said. Ching’ani said that Malawi could close the widened gap between the rich and the poor, creating a balance middle class in the process. “The gap between the rich and the poor is getting wider because we are giving construction business to foreign construction firms,” he added. Ching’ani said that there are three key issues that have proved to be stumbling blocks in the executions of duties of RA. “Vetting, trust on foreign firms and the Integrated Financial and Management Information System (IFMIS) have for long been the giant challenges which as a country must address for its national development,” the Board Chair explained. He said that IFMIS has for long led to the stagnation of many flagship road projects which could cushion economic challenges and reduce some of the road accidents. “Indeed because of IFMIS, some contractors take three months on the construction site before any penny is given to them.” “How can they pay workers and where can they get money to buy construction materials? Can a layman understand how IFMIS works and the misery it has caused in the construction industry?” he asked.
NEEF, Trade Ministry sensitises SMEs on loans
By Nick Kayange Zomba, Sept 19, Mana: National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF) in collaboration with the Ministry of Trade and Industry has rolled out sensitisation campaigns for Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the country on how they can access loan. They have rolled out after observing that most SMEs have challenges in accessing loans with the government lending institutions. Speaking Friday in Zomba during a sensitisation meeting for the SMEs in the Eastern Region, NEEF Director, Douglas Chavula said though NEEF had opened an opportunity for Malawians to apply for loans, very few were expressing interest to access loans as some lack of knowledge on NEEF and ways to access them. “This meeting intended to raise awareness among SMEs on how they can access NEEF products and gain knowledge on how to manage their finances and grow their business,” he said. Chavula said NEEF’s vision was to support many SMEs and to boost the country’s economy adding that, “Currently, we have disbursed about K 18.8 billion to 6,669 groups and 461 individual clients and it is our intention to reach out to as many people as possible.” Director of Micro, Medium Enterprises in the Ministry of Trade industry, Limbikani Kachiwaya said that for some time, the SMEs faced difficulties in accessing loans from NEEF due to limited knowledge. “The Ministry in partnership with NEEF decided to have these sensitisations so that we increase number of people accessing finances for various businesses,” he said. Chiwaya promised to facilitate good favourable business environment for SMEs saying that government would continue to open business opportunities for the SMEs. One of the participants at the SMEs meeting, Emily Gumulera said the meeting was timely as it provided relevant information on how small scale business people could access loans for their businesses.
EU for collaboration on global challenges
By Patricia Kapulula Lilongwe, Mana: The European Union (EU) has reaffirmed its commitment to further build on its collaboration with Malawi Government to tackle global challenges and achieve common goals by partnering and working together. EU Ambassador to Malawi, Rune Skinnebach, told journalists at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe on Tuesday after he presented his letters of credence to President Dr Lazarus Chakwera. He cited sectors such as Green and Resilient Economic Transformation, Democratic Governance and, Human Development and Social Inclusion as areas where EU and Malawi stand to gain by working together. He said the areas are central in the Malawi 2063 Vision and are also priorities of EU’s new multi annual development programme. “There is need for the close alignment between Malawi 2063 Vision and the European Union’s cooperation programme for the next seven years to be developed into close coordination with Malawi Government and the National Planning Commission,” he said. Green and resilient economic transformation, democratic and economic governance and human development and social inclusion are the EU’s interlinked priorities for Malawi for the seven-year period. Skinnebach, therefore, emphasised the importance of a multilateral consensus on major issues, saying it is of particular relevance in the context of COVID-19 pandemic which has demonstrated that no country or region should stand alone. He described Europe and Malawi partnership as precious, saying despite differences, there is much that brings the two together than what divides them. “We both envisage a bright future for Malawi as a land linked country, fully integrated into the regional trade and transportation fabric. “We both see the potential and challenges of a young population, of dynamic demographics, not just for the job market but also for Malawi’s natural resource,” said Skinnebach. Skinnebach served as Deputy Head of the European External Service Action (EEAS) Pan African Affairs Division and also as Deputy Head of the EEAs Human Resource Policy Division. In June this year, President Dr Lazarus Chakwera granted political dialogue meetings and audience to the representation of EU ambassadors in Malawi.
Market exploration ideal for local products
Market exploration ideal for local products By Steve Chirombo Chikwawa, June 19, Mana: Trocaire, a leading partner in the European Union (EU) funded three years project, ‘Building Climate Resilient Communities Around Wildlife Protected Areas’ says market exploration is ideal for locally produced products. Trocaire Country Director, Jeannette Wijnants, made the sentiments on Thursday during a field visit to project areas where Circle for Integrated Community Development (CICOD), one of the implementing partners within the consortium, is doing its activities under Traditional Authority (TA) Ndakwera in Chikwawa District. Her remarks were in response to requests made by representatives of community groups that are producing baskets, mats as well as fruit juices in Group Village Heads Mandrade and Tomasi in the area. Community Based Promoter, Prisca Myberg and Treasure for a waiving group, William Lanken decried access to markets for their products as well as support towards value addition. While Ida Damishoni, a member of Mbundu fruit Juice production group said they needed markets as most of their products were locally sold hence a need to go beyond. “For the groups with other income generating activities, we hope that we will be able to be looking into how we can be able to link them into markets so that they can be able to sell their products and have another income. “We are exploring together. Sometimes it’s access and in simple means transport. However CICOD is also linking up with other agencies so that we can have markets through,” said Wijnants She further added that the project was trying to build resilient communities and also conserving the wildlife by looking at animal human conflict that arises. “Because of poverty, climate change and not having the natural resources communities resort to bad practices like poaching, cutting trees for charcoal among many other malpractices. “What the project is trying to do is to provide different income generating activities for the local people from the forest based resources. The project is reaching out to 31 GVHs living next to the protected areas namely; Lengwe National Park, Mbabvi Wildlife Reserve as well as Kasungu National Park,” she added CICOD Executive Director, Amos Tizora said additionally there were more activities happening around Lengwe include Village Savings and Loans (VSLs) as well as the goat pass on programs on top of forest conservation. He said all the interventions are done to make sure that the communities have enough income for themselves but also they do have trees around their houses so that by the end of the day they do not encroach the protected area. “So far so good and we have achieved a lot of improvement. We are in the second year and by 3rd year we should be able to achieve what we planned. “Basically, most of our activities in the second year are towards linking these different beneficiaries to other groups in nearby places within Chikwawa and outside to help them sale their products. We think we may make a breakthrough in terms of exploring markets for these different products,” he said Chikwawa Director of Agriculture, Donald Ghambi and District Forestry Officer, Hector Nkawihe expressed gratitude at the way lives of communities under the programme were being transformed. Nkawihe said the activities under the program were in two folds aiming at improving the forestry management as well as improving the livelihoods of the communities. “It’s quite an eye opener that our partners managed to come into the remote areas trying to protect the environment and other natural resources and also trying to teach the farmers out there how to conserve the trees,” indicated Ghambi
How to spot a pyramid scheme – Business
Source: TED-ED – Stacie Bosley
Consumers blame shops for tricks in pricing
By Pilirani Samson Mzuzu, Mana: People in Mzuzu City have expressed concern over non-issuance of change in coin value which is common among shopping malls. One of the consumers, Veronica Chirwa, told Malawi News Agency she never received all her change from shopping malls as they claimed they did not have coins. Chirwa claimed that shops have stolen a lot of money from unsuspecting Malawians through tricks in their pricing of commodities. “We are very concerned with this trick as they are robbing us of our money. “If they know they have problems to give such amounts of money as change, they should charge a commodity with the price which will enable them give out change,” she said. Another concerned customer, Lameck Munthali, said it was sad customers short in smaller value of money are denied to buy commodities from such shops. Commenting on the matter, Consumers Association of Malawi (CAMA) Executive Director, John Kapito, said the conduct is a violation of consumers’ rights. He said consumers have the right to receive change in any amount of money from any shop in the country. He said the money might look small from an individual perspective, but shops make huge profits from the same. One of Sana Shop managers, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said shops sometimes fail to give change due to scarcity of coins. However, according to Reserve Bank of Malawi Director of Currency Management, Joseph Milner, the bank produces enough coins. Nevertheless, he pointed out that the coins do not get much demand from commercial banks which the central bank directly deals with. “At some point, we engaged commercial banks to find out why they do not demand coins, but they also claimed that there is no demand for coins from their customers,” Milner said. Malawi has coins in values of one, two, five, ten, twenty and fifty tambala. The country also has one, five and ten kwacha coins.
How Higher Education Can Support Local Ecosystems of Innovation
By Michael Kachitsa Since higher education is increasingly playing a leading role in developing the next generation of policy and social entrepreneurs, we must develop a cooperative framework to guide them. Students need a working understanding of what on-the-ground work with neighboring communities looks like, and how to center community needs. The same stories were repeatedly told when speaking with community leaders, organizers, activists, and nonprofit leaders. We heard about students coming in under the guise of good intentions, but centering their own needs, research, and privilege without taking the time to understand the histories and traditions of the community or organization they wish to serve. In a few instances, we even heard about how students even created competing organizations based on the group they worked with. This anecdotal evidence went back decades, frequently from New Haven leaders with no connection within the University to find a just recompense. This history is an opportunity to build value-based community engagement efforts. Organizations like the Yale U.S. Health Justice Collaborative have done an incredible job of encouraging students to better understand New Haven, even going as far as working with local leaders to host a New Haven tour for students interested in engaging with New Haven. Models like these are crucial, especially at Yale, where based on age, educational attainment, and race, and ethnicity, the New Haven metropolitan area, is the most representative of the United States. If, as administrators, we can create an infrastructure for student projects to be informed by residents of the Greater New Haven area, that model can scale or be replicated almost anywhere in the country. This ambition drives Tsai CITY Engage, which is the community engagement initiative at Tsai Center for Innovative Thinking at Yale (CITY), providing opportunities for collaboration in economic and community development in the Greater New Haven area. Our model is based around three core themes: knowledge sharing, developing a community of practice, and capacity building. Building outward from these ideas, our work ranges from creating an Economic Development Speaker Series and organizing a team of Economic and Community Development Coordinators to serve as interns and connectors for organizations working to develop a resilient entrepreneurship ecosystem in New Haven, to facilitating the project management of a participatory budgeting process. These and other efforts have shown us that supporting innovation should not be a top-down approach premised on straitjacketing program designs. While students’ needs are often centered on creating a low-risk, color-by-numbers, style of replicable programming, such models don’t necessarily allow community needs to be brought into the conversation during the planning stages. Innovation supported by higher education must be practice-based, and accordingly, must be led and continuously transformed by the lived experience of those we intend to help. Source – Stanford social innovation Review