The Government of Malawi and the Independent Office of Evaluation of IFAD (IOE), in collaboration with IFAD’s East and Southern Africa Division (ESA), jointly organized a virtual national workshop on the Malawi Country Strategy and Programme Evaluation (CSPE), as a final step in the evaluation process.

The virtual event took place on 17 May 2022, from 10.00 to 12.00 CEST (Rome time), and entailed the participation of representatives of the Government, development partners, civil society organizations, private sector partners, and IFAD senior management and staff.

The event opened with the statement of Eng Geoffrey Mamba, Director of Irrigation Services, Ministry of Agriculture on behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, followed by Ms Chrissy Chiuma, who made a statement on behalf of Dr Esmie Kainja, Principal Secretary, Ministry of Local Government. Mr Mations Msowoya, Acting Director, Debt & Aid Management Division, read the opening statement on behalf of Dr McDonald Mafuta Mwale, Secretary to the Treasury, Ministry of Finance who, once joined the event, reiterated his welcoming remarks.

Dr Indran Naidoo, Director, IOE, gave an introductory statement, followed by Mr Donal Brown, Associate Vice-President, Programme Management Department, IFAD, who pronounced a statement on behalf of IFAD Management.

Ms Johanna Pennarz, Lead Evaluation Officer, IOE, presented the CSPE’s main findings, conclusions and recommendations. Following this, a lively plenary discussion on key topics took place.

Before the conclusion of the event, Mr Ambrosio Barros, IFAD Country Director for Malawi, Mozambique & Zambia, reflected on the future directions of the country strategy and programme. Ms Sara Mbago-Bhunu, Regional Director, ESA, Programme Management Department, IFAD, pronounced a final statement.

Dr Naidoo and Mr Msowoya delivered the closing remarks.

The workshop was moderated by Mr Felix Lombe, National Programme ‘Transforming Agriculture Through Diversification and Entrepreneurship (TRADE)’, and was attended by over 80 participants.

The recording of the event is available here.