National Bank of Malawi (NBM) plc has given K20 million to the Public-Private Partnership Commission (PPPC) towards the Infrastructure Finance and Partnership Forum under the theme ‘Mobilising Private Capital for Sustainable Infrastructure Development’.
The Forum is set for September 17 at Bingu International Conference Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe.
Speaking during the cheque handover ceremony in Lilongwe on Wednesday, NBM plc Senior Manager Shadreck Malenga said the Bank expects the donation to serve as a platform to bring together the private sector, government, civil society and development partners to discuss the country’s infrastructure needs.
He further said the Bank’s role includes helping to address financing gaps in infrastructure development.
“The economy is growing and government wants assistance. The resource envelope being the government budget can be limited. So, the private sector needs to mobilise in order to complement government’s efforts to develop our infrastructure,” said Malenga.
PPPC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Arthur Nanthuru commended the donation noting that it will help the Commission organise the forum as well as support activities under its legal framework.
“The government has projects that may not have funding but they are looking for money from the private sector, from banks and pension managers. So, we want these people to engage with private players, discuss what gaps are there and what the banks, funders or sponsors can do, including opportunities for them to invest in infrastructure,” said Nanthuru.
