Evaluation of DFID country programmes: Malawi

DFID's contribution to development in Malawi

This is the evaluation report of the Department for International Development (DFID) country programme in Malawi from 2000 to 2005. Malawi is a country in which DFID has become the largest bilateral donor, with a programme commitment of approximately £70 million since 2000/01.

The major findings of the evaluation exercise include the following:

Malawi is likely to remain aid-dependent for the conceivable future, and DFID's position is pre-eminent amongst donors by virtue of the size and the strong historical links
DFID-Malawi's (DFIDM) strategy has at times pursued DFID global policy mechanistically and with limited adjustment to local political-economic circumstances. Increasingly, DFID’s strategic choices are being drawn towards those sectors where transition to Sector Wide Approach (SWAp) appears most feasible. As a consequence, sectors where there is weaker national strategy are receiving less attention.

The author also found out that the DFIDM strategy has become centred on Government of Malawi (GoM) as the predominant development partner. Relations with the GoM, especially the Ministry of Finance, are generally strong. However, In some sectors like agriculture, forestry and the National Safety Nets Unit, there is a perception of a DFID withdrawal and this has weakened the relationship. There is also a relatively weak level of involvement and relationship with civil society.

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Evaluation of DFID country programmes: Malawi