President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika has appealed for continued support from the World Bank, noting that geopolitical tensions in the Middle East are placing additional strain on Malawi’s economy.
The Malawi leader, made the call at Sanjika Palace in Blantyre, during a meeting with Dr. Nathan Belete, newly promoted World Bank Regional Programme Director for Africa and Dr. Firas Raad, incoming Country Director for Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Tanzania.
Dr. Raad previously served as World Bank Country Director for Malawi.
Mutharika expressed appreciation for the World Bank’s Rapid Response financing, saying the support remains critical in stabilising the economy and sustaining recovery efforts.
He also commended the long-standing partnership between Malawi and the World Bank, citing recent maize procurement support as an important intervention that helped ease food shortages in vulnerable communities.
Dr. Belete said the World Bank is concerned about the impact of global conflicts on Malawi and pledged continued support to address emerging economic challenges.
The President further urged Dr. Belete to prioritise Malawi’s development needs in his new regional role.
The meeting was attended by the World Bank delegation, Minister of Finance Joseph Mwanamvekha, Secretary to the Treasury Cliff Chiunda and other senior officials from the Ministry of Finance.
