The Southern African Development Community Development Finance Resource Centre (SADC-DFRC), in partnership with the Export Development Fund (EDF), hosted a specialized training on infrastructure finance and Public-Private Partnership (PPP) structuring and implementation at the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe.
The program brought together participants from leading commercial banks, development finance institutions, and government agencies central to infrastructure development. The training aimed to equip stakeholders with technical skills to design PPP frameworks that reduce financial risk and attract private investment for critical projects.
EDF Board Chairperson Dr. Ted Nakhumwa officially opened the training, describing infrastructure as “the backbone of economic transformation.” He stressed that roads, energy systems, water supply, and ICT networks are essential for trade competitiveness and export growth. “Inadequate infrastructure is one of the barriers to trade competitiveness and export growth for any country, Malawi inclusive,” he said.
Dr. Nakhumwa emphasized that financing infrastructure is not solely a government responsibility but a shared mandate requiring innovative solutions and strong partnerships. He highlighted PPPs as a mechanism to combine public oversight with private sector efficiency and financing, enabling projects to be delivered faster and maintained sustainably. “Poorly designed PPPs can lead to disputes and project failure, while well-structured PPPs can attract financing from banks, pension funds, and development partners delivering real value to our economy,” he noted.
Mr. Zwelibanzi Sapula, CEO- SADC-DFRC
The EDF Chairperson linked the training to Malawi’s broader ambitions under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), saying improved infrastructure is key to reducing trade costs and making Malawi a more attractive investment destination. He called for collaboration among government, private sector players, and development finance institutions to ensure affordable and well-structured financing mechanisms.
SADC-DFRC Chief Executive Officer Mr. Zwelibanzi Sapula echoed these sentiments, pointing to the high perceived risk of public projects as a major factor driving up interest rates in infrastructure financing. He urged Malawi to learn from successful regional and international models, citing South Africa’s Independent Power Producer program as an example of how structured PPPs can enhance economic competitiveness.
The training sessions focused on practical approaches to structuring PPPs, allocating risks, and implementing governance frameworks that ensure project sustainability. Participants explored strategies to de-risk financial transactions, lower the cost of capital, and mobilize private sector resources for infrastructure development.