NAP calls for more funding to NEEF

By Martha Chikoti

The National Advocacy Platform (NAP) has called on government to allocate more funding to National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF) to ensure more Malawians are adequately helped to venture into businesses and be empowered.

Allocate more funding- NAP- PIC Martha Chikoti

This was said during a press briefing organized by NAP in Lilongwe on Tuesday afternoon.

One of the NAP representatives Robert Mkwezalamba highlighted the importance of funding, stating that it will enable many people to start businesses and promote inclusivity in empowering Malawi's underserved communities.

Mkwezalamba noted that Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) focus on enhancing CSO involvement, addressing politicization concerns, and ensuring NEEF's loan program benefits the intended recipients.

However, he expressed concerns about potential risks, including the possibility of not contributing to the national food basket if ADMARC does not open on time.

He said among other concerns highlighted in the meeting include farmers defaulting on loans due to delayed distribution and the issue of fertilizer distribution without seeds, leading to farmers buying tampered seeds.

Mkwezalamba said to address these concerns, NAP recommended that the government allocate more resources to NEEF to enable more farmers to access loans.

He therefore urged NEEF to prepare for the 2025-2026 farming season to ensure timely access to inputs.

Furthermore NAP also suggested that communities in the country should intensify winter cropping and plant drought-resistant crops to avert hunger.

Mkwezalamba emphasized the importance of collaboration between NEEF, CSOs, and the government to ensure the program's success.

"We need to work together to transform NEEF into a model of transparency and efficiency, providing equitable opportunities for all Malawians to thrive," he said.

The CSOs commended the positive partnership between NEEF and CSOs, representing a significant step toward realizing the shared vision of a more inclusive and economically empowered Malawi.