Self Help Africa is committed to supporting the government’s ‘Malawi Agenda 2063’ of delivering self-reliance within the next 40 years, the launch of the organisation’s ambitious new five-year country strategy heard, this week.

Malawi Country Director Kate Hartley-Lewis told an audience that included donors, partners, diplomats, district officials and development sector representatives that the organisation intended to strengthening collaboration as it supported the Malawi 2063 agenda in the coming years.

Two years after the integration of the operations of Self Help Africa and United Purpose, the new five-year strategy combined the strengths and expertise of two organisations that had worked in Malawi for close to 60 years. “Together, we are building on our combined experiences, and on hard-earned reputations as responsive organisations that are honest and accountable,” the Malawi Country Director said.

Self Help Africa CEO, Feargal O’Connell said that the organisation was committed to the ambition to move ‘beyond aid,’ in line with the Government of Malawi’s efforts to progress the country towards self-reliance over the coming decades.

Self Help Africa’s new strategy sets a bold vision of sustainable livelihoods and healthy lives for all in a changing climate. Programme work would be built on four strategic pillars – sustainable landscapes, resilient food systems and healthy communities; sustainable businesses, decent employment and thriving economies; crisis response and resilience: and system strengthening and the creation of an enabling policy environment in Malawi. 

CEO of the Malawi NGO Regulatory Authority, Voice Mahone, said that Self Help Africa was an example to others of the values of accountability, transparency and good governance. “We look forward to continuing to follow the achievements of Self Help Africa and the delivery against its clear metrics for the next five years.” 

Dr. Thomas Munthali, Director of the National Planning Commission said that “Self Help Africa’s four strategic objectives were aligned with the Malawi 2063 aspirations. “We will positively engage with partners such as Self Help Africa that are geared at supporting the country with inclusive wealth creation and self-reliance strategies,” he added.

The new five-year Malawi Strategy emphasises partnership, localisation, accountability, and an even closer collaboration with the government of Malawi.