Improving potable water and sanitation in Malawi

The Southern African country of Malawi has made significant progress in terms of providing potable water to its population, with coverage of around 88 percent. There are, however, marked disparities among the geographic regions and income levels, particularly in terms of sanitation and hygiene services. 

The OPEC Fund’s US$15 million loan will alleviate some of these issues by bringing potable water and improved sanitation to Dowa Town in Malawi’s central region. Meanwhile, sanitation facilities at the district hospital and the nearby Dzaleka refugee camp are in particularly poor condition, resulting in a high incidence of waterborne diseases. The investment aims to secure total coverage and permanent access to water and sanitation facilities. 

The project will include the construction of a water treatment plant with a production capacity of 14,300 m3/day, a pumping station and a 51 km-long distribution pipeline, as well as the installation of new communal water points and the rehabilitation of existing ones. The sewage system at the Dowa district hospital will also be replaced and sanitation facilities at the Dzaleka refugee camp will be installed. 

Once completed, the project is expected to improve the health and living conditions of some 100,000 people. 

OPEC Fund Director-General Dr. Abdulhamid Alkhalifa said: “Secure and permanent supply with water is essential for life. This is also reflected in Sustainable Development Goal 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation. For the OPEC Fund this project is a welcome contribution to the delivery of sustainable development and I take great pride in seeing the fruits of our efforts during my visit to Malawi.” 

In addition to the work to strengthen Malawi’s water security, the OPEC Fund also recently supported the country with a US$350,000 grant to co-finance a technical and economic feasibility study for a new airport in Mzuzu, the capital of the northern region. The planned regional airport will provide reliable commercial and noncommercial air services and fortify economic development.

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