400,000 to Benefit from European Investment Bank Water Project in Malawi

The Southern Region Water Board (SRWB) in Malawi is set to roll out the Liwonde-Balaka Water Supply Project in July 2024, funded by the European Investment Bank (EIB). The project aims to provide a reliable water supply to 400,000 people in the Liwonde and Balaka districts, with a water supply capacity of 10,000 cubic meters per day once completed.

The EIB is investing €10 million through the Water Access Acceleration Fund (W2AF), a €70 million private equity fund managed by Incofin, a global impact investment manager. The investment is part of the EIB's Water Sector Fund, established in partnership with the Dutch government, to improve access to safe drinking water in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

The W2AF fund is anticipated to deliver 20 billion liters of safe drinking water by 2030, benefiting over 540,000 households, including those in Liwonde and Balaka. The project demonstrates the EIB's and the Dutch government's commitment to improving access to safe and affordable drinking water and is expected to attract more private investors to the W2AF fund, helping to build the private water ecosystem in emerging markets.

Why this matters: Access to safe and reliable drinking water is vital for the health and well-being of communities in developing countries. The Liwonde-Balaka Water Supply Project highlights the importance of international collaboration and investment in addressing water scarcity and improving the quality of life for those in need.

The SRWB has already taken steps to sustain water supply in the region, having recently installed submersible water pumps at the Shire River intake in Liwonde, Machinga, after the river's swelling submerged the initial plant house at Kamuzu Barrage. The newly installed pumps have increased water supply from 1,800 cubic meters per day to 2,500 cubic meters per day, serving a population of over 70,000.

Key Takeaways

• SRWB to roll out Liwonde-Balaka Water Supply Project in July 2024, funded by EIB.
• Project aims to provide reliable water supply to 400,000 people in Liwonde and Balaka.
• EIB investing €10M through W2AF fund to improve access to safe drinking water.
• W2AF fund expected to deliver 20B liters of safe water, benefiting 540,000 households.
• SRWB installed new pumps to increase water supply from 1,800 to 2,500 m3/day.