JICA Malawi

February 2019

Profile

Japan International Cooperation Agency

March 2019

2

Message from the Resident Representative………………………………………………………………………………………...…….....3

JICA’s Vision and Actions……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………....…….4

JICA Development Cooperation in Malawi…………………………………………………………………...……………………...……..5

Promoting diversified and market-oriented agriculture………………………………...…………………………………...……...6

Fostering human resource for self-reliant development……………………………………..……………………………….……….8

Building a foundation for economic growth, taking into account climate change and urbanization…..…….10

Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers…………..……….…………………………………..……………...……………………………12

Gallery of Notable Projects in Malawi……………………………………………………………………………………..………....……….13 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about JICA………………………………………………………………..……………………...15

Inside this Issue

3

Message from the Resident Representative

Mr. Koichi KITO

The rapidly growing population in Malawi puts increasing pressure on its limited resources

rendering it difficult to provide sufficient basic social services. Climate change and reliance

on rain fed agriculture add to the existing challenges.

This situation and reliance on foreign aid have pushed the country into a donor dependent

economy.

Malawi has not been silent on its challenges. Through the current Malawi Growth and

Development Strategy, the country aims at ‘building a competitive, productive and resilient

nation’.

Japan supports Malawi’s development agenda by prioritizing its assistance towards critical

triggers of the economy such as market-oriented agriculture through formation of a value-

chain by establishing linkages with other sectors such as irrigation and transport.

Japan realizes that human resource development is the main driving force to steer Malawi

into a self-reliant economy. Quality education for the youth and problem solving skills

among leading government officials are essential to this effect.

In pursuance of its development cooperation with the Government of Malawi, Japan consid-

ers addressing and responding to downside effects of climate change by supporting

programs aiming at resilience building.

In this issue, JICA is excited to bring to you the major current areas of cooperation with

Malawi basing on its development cooperation policy. We hope you will find this

compilation informative enough for you to understand JICA and its approach to

development assistance as well as the cooperation programs we undertake in Malawi.

4

Vision

JICA’s Vision and Actions

Mission JICA, in accordance with the Development Cooperation Charter, will work on human se-curity and quality growth.

Leading the world with trust.

JICA, with its partners, will take the lead in forging bonds of trust across the world, aspir-

ing for a free, peaceful and prosperous would where people can hope for a better future

and explore their diverse potentials.

1. Commitment: Commit ourselves with pride and passion to achieving our mis-sion and vision.

2. Gemba: Dive into the field ("gemba") and work together with the people.

3. Strategy: Think and act strategically with broad and long-term perspectives

4. Co-creation: Bring together diverse wisdom and resources.

5. Innovation: Innovate to bring about unprecedented impacts.

Actions

JICA’s Cooperation Delivery Channels

Technical Cooperation supports the development of human

resources that will promote socio-economic development in

developing counties, the improvement of technical standards,

and the establishment of administrative systems by utilizing

the knowledge, experience, and technologies of Japan. By

accepting training participants in Japan and dispatching

Japanese experts, JICA assists developing countries’ capacity

development in solving problems.

Japan provides funds to low-income developing countries

without the obligation of repayment to support the

construction of facilities necessary for social and economic

development. The grant is used for constructed through the

grant include schools , hospitals, wells, and roads, and the

procurement of equipment and other supplies.

Technical Cooperation Grant Aid

ODA loans (Concessionary Loans) Citizen participation

ODA Loans are extended under generous lending

conditions (long repayment periods, low interest rates) for

projects supporting the development of developing

countries, and are applied to infrastructure construction

and other projects and programs requiring a large amount

of funding. Private-Sector Investment Finance, on the other

hand, provides financial support for private-sector

activities in developing countries.

JICA cooperates in diverse ways with NGOs, local

governments, universities, and other organizations that

participate in international cooperation activities. JICA

dispatches volunteers such as Japan Overseas Cooperation

Volunteers (JOCVs) as a part of its citizen participatory

cooperation. Furthermore, JICA supports development

education, which is designed to deepen understanding of the

challenges facing development countries, chiefly in the field of

school education.

5

JICA Development Cooperation in Malawi Since 1954, Japan has been providing financial and technical

assistance to developing countries through Overseas Development

Assistance (ODA) with the aim of contributing to peace and

development of the international community. In 1965, Japan

Overseas Cooperation Agency (JOCV) program was launched and

the first batch of volunteers was dispatched to Malawi in 1971. In

1974, JICA, one of the world’s largest bilateral agencies was

founded and currently works in over 150 countries and regions and

has 100 overseas offices including Malawi.

Building a foundation for sustainable and self-reliant growth

1. Promoting diversified and market-oriented agriculture

2. Fostering human resource for self-reliant development

3. Building a foundation for economic growth, taking

into account climate change and urbanization

Enhancing Capacity for Medium Scale Irrigation Scheme Development, Op-eration and Maintenance (MIDP2)

Market-Oriented Smallhold-

er Horticulture Empow-

erment and Promotion

(MA-SHEP)

Conservation and Sustaina-

ble Management of

Dzalanyama Forest Reserve,

in Lilongwe

Promoting Catchment Man-

agement Activities in Middle

Shire (COVAMS)

Expansion of Domasi College

of Education, in Zomba

Expansion of Terminal Build-

ing at Kamuzu International

Airport(KIA) and Capacity

Building Project for Radar

Air navigation Services at

KIA, in Lilongwe

Expansion of Tedzani

Hydropower Station

Non-revenue Water Reduc-

tion, in Lilongwe

Enhancement of Operations

and Maintenance of Rural

Water Supply, in Mchinji

Priority

Areas

Cooperation

Policy

Champhole and

Thawi in Dowa

district; Zombe

and Katope in

Mzimba District

Kasungu,

Ntchisi, Mchinji,

Dowa East,

Nkhotakota and

Salima

6

Promoting diversified and market-oriented

agriculture

Project for Enhancing Capacity for Medium Scale Irrigation Scheme Development, Operation and Maintenance (MIDP2)

Priority 1

JICA is currently implementing a Technical

Cooperation Project for Enhancing Capacity

for Medium Scale Irrigation Scheme Develop-

ment, Operation and Maintenance in

Malawi (MIDP 2). This 5 year (March 2015–

March 2020) project aims at establishing a

system for professional development on

operation, maintenance and management for

irrigation officers in Medium-Scale irrigation

scheme development.

The project is in Kasungu and Mzuzu Irriga-

tion Service Division (ISD) in 4 model sites of

Champhole and Thawi in Dowa district;

Zombe and Katope in Mzimba District.

The irrigation officers design the works of the

schemes and provide the necessary support to

the farmers during construction of the facility.

Another important output under this project

is the accreditation of officers as professional

engineers. So far under, 9 officers from the

Department of Irrigation and 2 lecturers are

now registered as professional engineers.

The Government of Japan aims to promote diversified and market-oriented agriculture in Malawi to

contribute to economic growth through 1) irrigation development and capacity development of

operation and maintenance (O&M) techniques, 2) market-oriented agriculture, strengthening the

capacity of cooperatives, and its business mind.

7

Realizing the importance of markets to smallholder farmers, JICA started the Project of Market-Oriented

Smallholder Horticulture Empowerment and Promotion (MA-SHEP) in April 2017, a five year

market-oriented intervention, to be implemented in all the 28 districts in Malawi starting with the first batch

6 districts (Kasungu, Ntchisi, Mchinji, Dowa East, Nkhotakota and Salima) in Kasungu and Salima ADDs.

The purpose is to increase the income of members of farmer groups and ultimately improve their livelihood.

MA-SHEP is a mindset change project from ‘grow and sell’ to ‘grow to sell’ since farmers produce for a readily

available market.

Because of the achievements Malawi has made in the program, JICA chose it to host the 2018 Third Country

Training for the African Region for the course on Market-Oriented Smallholder Horticulture Empowerment

and Promotion

○1 ○2

○3 ○4

1. Sharing MA-SHEP goal with farmers: Farmers are briefed about the goal of MA-SHEP.

2. Raising Farmer’s awareness: Participatory baseline survey and market survey are conducted by

farmers themselves to understand the current status of the farmers and to help the farmers understand the

prices, marketable crops as well as required quality and quantity.

3. Decision making: Farmers make informed decisions with regards to crop selection and crop calendar

(period of production) based on the market survey by themselves.

4. Skill acquisition: The farmers are provided with infield training for the crop they have selected.

M

AS

HE

P P

ack

ag

e S

tep

s

Project for Market-Oriented Smallholder Horticulture Empowerment and Pro-motion (MA-SHEP)

8

Fostering human resource for self-reliant

development Priority 2

On June 28, 2017, the JICA signed a grant agreement with the Government of the Republic of Malawi in Lilongwe, the capital city, to provide grant aid of up to 1.947 billion yen for the Pro-ject for Expanding and Upgrading the Domasi College of Edu-cation. The project will provide the facilities and equipment required for the Domasi College of Education to transition from a three-year to a four-year institution, thereby creating an environment to train high-quality qualified secondary education teachers and contributing to an improvement in the quality of secondary education.

Expansion and Upgrading of Domasi College of Education

The project will provide a lecture building, a laboratory building, a library, dormitories, administration block and other facilities and equipment, to allow more students to obtain secondary school teaching qualifications each year

JICA offers domestic cooperation through trainings to provide technical knowledge and practical solutions for development issues in developing countries by exposing participants to Japan’s development experience and know-how.

The program is offered at JICA Domestic Centers in three modes: Group and Region focused, Country focused, and Young Leaders. JICA hosts about 10,000 trainees every year. To date, over 340,000 people from various developing countries have participated in the program. The program has evolved to spreading its target towards senior officials and policy makers to deepen their understanding of Japanese technologies, development experience and principles through engagement in discussion with Japanese high officials and concerned agencies. Malawi has been benefitting from the KCCP since 1976. Close to more than 80 participants attend these courses every year. Since then, almost, 3000 government counterparts have benefitted from this program.

Knowledge Co-Creation Program (KCCP)

Malawi has been benefitting from the KCCP since 1976. Close to more than 80 participants attend these courses every year. Since then, almost, 3000 government counterparts have benefitted from this program.

Japan continues to complement the efforts of the Government of Malawi in enhancing the quality of

learning through improvement of curriculum, teacher training and teaching methods in sciences and

mathematics education in primary, secondary and higher education in collaboration with diverse

educational institutions and actors.

9

Human Resource Development in the Mining Sector

(KIZUNA Programm)

Master’s Degree and Internship Program of Africa Business Education (ABE) Initiative for Youth

The third Tokyo International Cooperation for African Development (TICAD III) of 2013 developed a 5 year strategy to provide opportunities to 1,000 African youths to study at Japanese universities as well as experience internships at Japanese enterprises through a “Master’s Degree and Internship Program of Africa

Business Education Initiative for Youth" - ABE

Initiative.

From 2013 to date, 23 Malawians have been accepted to participate in this program in Japan where they are exposed to modern technologies and enterprises of Japan, and at the same time establishing relationships with the people and institutions of Japan.

Through a Technical Cooperation program, JICA is cooperating with the Geological Survey of Malawi to develop the mining industry to ensure sustainable supply of mineral resources. The cooperation in-cludes support towards rare earth exploration and training of officials from government and private sec-tor.

The program offers masters and doctorate degrees and certificates for short courses that equip partici-pants with practical knowledge that is difficult to come by in graduate school programs, with a particu-lar focus on reinforcing policy and management skills (mining policy interest negotiations, mine operations, etc.)

Since the inception of the program, 7 Malawians have been accepted to attend various programs in Japan.

For effective implementation of the MGDSIII, Japan contributes to capacity development on

government core officials who will play a critical role in socio-economic development of Malawi.

2

10

Dzalanyama Forest Reserve (DFR) has been an important reserve since 1911. DFR is a source of water that is supplied to Lilongwe city. The DFR has, however, suffered enormous deforestation due to charcoal making (refer to the picture) and encroachment for farming land. The Governments of Malawi Japan through JICA in 2016 started a five year Technical Cooperation Project called Conservation and Sustainable Management of DFR. This project aims to develop long term conservation and environmental management of Dzalanyama Forest Reserve. Tree planting and bee keeping (as an alternative source of income to the community) are some of the project activities. These activities will reverse the current state of DFR and improve community livelihoods.

Dzalanyama Forest Reserve Conservation

Lilongwe Water Board (LWB) is experiencing high level of Non-Revenue Water (NRW) at 36% in its system which requires improvement to improve efficiency of its service delivery. It is for this reason that JICA decided to support LWB to reduce NRW to meet water demands which has grown tremendously over the past few years due to rapid urbanization and popula-tion growth within Lilongwe city and its surrounding area. In line with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) # 6, JICA is sup-porting LWB in non-revenue water management in support with National Water Policy goal on urban water supply, to achieve sustainable, commercially viable provision of water supply and sanitation services that are equitably accessible to be used by individuals and entrepreneurs.

Non-revenue Water Reduction—Lilongwe Water Board

Building a foundation for economic growth, taking

into account climate change and urbanization Priority 3

The project has two aspects, these are; 1. Grant Aid: To help the Board to purchase and install equipment which will help the board to reduce

the high rate of non-revenue water.

2. Technical Cooperation to help LWB in building and strengthening technical capacity of its employees to fight the challenge.

To maintain and enhance the functions of the cities, power generation and water resource

conservation, Japan provides cooperation towards sustainable management of catchment areas of

Lilongwe City and Shire River Basin.

11

JICA started supporting air transportation in Malawi in 1978 through an ODA loan for the construction of the Kamuzu International Airport (KIA). In total to date, Japan has provided over JPY10billion (about MK68 billion) for KIA through the Grant aid (MK33.5b), the Technical Cooperation (MK3b) and the Loan scheme(K31.4b).

In 2014 Japan agreed with Malawi for a grant of JPY3.7 billion for expansion of the Terminal Building at KIA to increase its overall capacity to accommodate the growing number of passengers. Another component of the project is the installation of a Radar Air Surveillance System to improve air safety. It is a great step for Malawi to restart the Radar operations after 10 years in order to meet the international standards and to obtain trust in Malawi’s aviation safety, to attract more aircrafts and increase the number of passenger.

In addition to the above infrastructure development project, JICA funded the Department of Civil Aviation to implement the Technical cooperation project through fostering licensed Air Traffic Controllers (ATC) to operate the new radar system and instructors to train new ATC as well as engineers who will maintain the radar equipment for sustainable use.

Expansion of Terminal Building and Enhancing Air Traffic Control

system at Kamuzu International Airport (KIA)

In the energy sector, Japan is assisting in generation of energy through the construction of Tedzani IV hydropower station which will add approximately 18.3 Mega Watts once completed. This will help in easing the power shortage the country faces due to insufficient power generation.

In addition to expansion of hydropower generation facilities, Japan’s future cooperation also prioritizes on enhancing distribution network in the urban cities by rehabilitating and upgrading substation facilities to stabilize electric power supply and reducing transmission loss.

Construction of Tedzani IV Hydropower Station

In the Energy and Transport Sectors, JICA supports the development of quality infrastructures including key

facilities to enhance economic activities.

12

The JOCV program was inaugurated in 1965. The program focuses on human resource development in

developing countries at grassroots level through dispatching qualified Japanese nationals aged between

20 and 69. These volunteers are from diverse areas of expertise and are dispatched to the developing

countries for basically a period of 2 years.

Malawi is one of the largest recipients of Japanese volunteers in which an estimated number of 1859

have been dispatched to the country since 1971 the time the program commenced in the country.

Currently, in Malawi, Japanese volunteers work in technical fields of health, education, community

development, water and sports.

In the education sector, the Japanese volunteers work as primary and secondary school teachers,

assisting in science and ICT (Information Communication Technology) subjects. In the health sector,

these volunteers work as nurses, nutritionists , physiotherapists and HIV/Aids Prevention and Control

Officers. One of the notable achievements by these Japanese volunteers is the improvement of the child

health passport and introduction of hospital quality management which is titled 5S KAIZEN Total

Quality Management (TQM).

A Primary Education Japanese volunteer organized a

sports festival, UNDOKAI at Kasungu LEA Primary Science Japanese volunteers conducted science

workshops at Nalikule College of Education

Community Development Japanese volunteers are

promoting eco-friendly fuel, briquette making.

Volunteers at Health Center assist child health,

nutrition and prevention of infection diseases.

Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers

13

Selected Notable Past Projects in Malawi

Agriculture

Education

History of JICA in Malawi

1971: Opening of Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) Malawi Office in Blantyre, dispatching the first group of 7 volunteers that comprised 2 fishery statisticians, 2 electricians and 3 mapping specialists (surveyors)

1988: Status of JICA Malawi Office was established 1989: Relocation of JOCV Office from Blantyre to Lilongwe and opening of JICA Malawi Office in Lilongwe 2006: Conclusion of the agreement on Technical Cooperation between Japan and Malawi

2011: JOCV’s 40th Anniversary Ceremony held at the State House.

One Village One Product (OVOP): 2004-2017: The Government of Malawi, with support from JICA, intro-duced the OVOP concept in 2003. Through the OVOP program, many communities have established product specific cooperatives which are operating in various parts of the country.

Bwanje Valley Irrigation: 1999-: Construction of Bwanje Valley Irrigation Scheme in Dedza which irri-gates 800 hectares of lands during the rainy season and about 150 hectares of land during the dray season.

Community Day Secondary Schools: 2010-2016: Japan provided a grant in three phases through which 21 community day secondary schools and 2 conventional secondary schools were reconstructed and expanded.

Nalikule College of Education: 2013-2016: Japan supported the construction of the Nalikule Teachers Training College which is offering a 4 year degree as well as In-Service Education and Training (INSET) courses for under-qualified teachers.

14

Selected Notable Past Projects in Malawi

Bakili Muluzi Bridge in Mangochi (2000): Reconstruction of Bakili Muluzi Bridge in Mangochi from a single lane timber deck bridge to a modern concrete two lane bridge allows smooth flow of traffic between Mangochi town and the Mozambique boarder of Chiponde. Easy connectivity between Malawi and Tanzania was also ensured through the construction of the South Rukuru Bridge in Rumphi (2012).

The Project for the Improvement of Blantyre City Roads (2008-2014) improved and widened the Masauko Chipembere Highway in order to ease traffic flow between Limbe and Blantyre. Smooth traffic flow is a catalyst for social and economic growth of any country.

Infrastructure

Photo: Shinichi Kuno/JICA Photo: Shinichi Kuno/JICA

Water

National Water Resources Master Plan (NWRMP) 2012-2016: The project assisted the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development officials in the preparation of NWRMP and distribution of the plan. The plan will enable MoAIWD to identify issues concerning development and manage them properly.

Operation and Maintenance 2009-2016: The project aimed at combating non-functionality rate of boreholes through building technical capacity of communities to be empowered in repairing and maintaining their water facilities after trainings from manuals which JICA supported its development.

Natural Resources Management

Community Vitalization and Afforestation in Middle Shire (COVAMS I & II): 2007-2018: The Project promoted catchment management activities in middle Shire . Tree glowing was one of the activities that aimed at reducing land degradation.

5S KAIZEN-TQM for Hospital Management: 2014-2016: The project aims at disseminating and strengthening 5S KAIZEN approach to health facilities under the initiative of the Ministry of Health.

Health

Photo: Shinichi Kuno/JICA

15

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about JICA

1. We have a Community Based Organisation (CBO) in our area and we need financial assis-

tance to carry out our activities. How can JICA Malawi help us on this issue?

JICA works on a bilateral basis. This means requests for assistance rendered by JICA to the Govern-

ment of Malawi originate from the Government of Malawi through line ministries. Besides this fact,

JICA does not directly extend financial support for operations to any entity. It’s mandate is not to pro-

vide funds but to implement projects in developing countries on behalf of the Government of Japan.

2. We have a private enterprise which works in one of the programs which JICA supports.

Can JICA assist us technically and financially to improve our operations?

JICA does not deal directly with private entities. In special circumstances JICA can technically assist

such entities if the Government of Malawi through its parent ministry has recommended to JICA to

work with such an entity. Your request should therefore be channelled through the ministry responsi-

ble for your activities.

3. I work in a government ministry and we have some projects which fall within JICA Ma

lawi office’s focus areas. We would like to request JICA to assist us in implementing

them. When is the right time for us to approach JICA?

Every year JICA engages the Government of Malawi to receive proposals for projects for which the

GoM requests for assistance from JICA. The process commences in March and final submissions of

project proposals are done by end of July or early August. It is therefore advisable to start discussions

with JICA before March.

4. How long will it take JICA to start implementing a project once a proposal has been

submitted?

Once a project proposal has been submitted in July/August, it goes through rigorous screening process

in Japan. Results of the screening process are communicated to the Ministry of Finance, Economic

Planning & Development either in March or April. If a Technical Cooperation project has been ap-

proved, implementation may start within twelve months. If it is a Grant Aid project, the preparatory

survey may start within twelve months.

5. I work for a private company and I would like JICA to offer me an opportunity to attend

a short course in Japan or other third country?

JICA training courses are mainly offered to government ministries, government related organisations

and public corporations. Applications from the private sector are also welcome, but JICA project coun-

terparts are prioritised to enhance their capacity that is relevant to project implementation.

16

Japan International Cooperation Agency

Contact Information

Pacific House, Area 13, Plot No 100, City Centre,

P.O. Box 30321, Capital City, Lilongwe 3, MALAWI

TEL : 265-1-771554/644/945

E-mail : mw_oso_rep@jica.go.jp

URL :http://www.jica.go.jp/malawi/english/index.htm

JICA Malawi Office