By Priscilla Phiri
Vice President Dr Jane Ansah, has hailed Japan’s growing role in shaping Malawi’s development agenda, describing the partnership as transformative and deeply rooted in both infrastructure and people to people exchanges.
She said this on Wednesday, during a courtesy call by His Excellency Naito Yasushi, the newly accredited Japanese Ambassador to Malawi, at her office in Capital Hill Lilongwe.
In her speech, the Vice President commended Japan for its enduring support, citing landmark projects such as the newly inaugurated Lilongwe bridge.
“ We have witnessed a transformation of the Old Town landscape into a more modern and exquisite environment and the construction quality of the bridge itself is exemplary.
“We therefore, extend our sincere gratitude to the Government of Japan for this durable and highly impactful infrastructure,” she said.
Ansah highlighted Japan’s US$7 billion commitment to the Nacala Corridor initiative, which she said holds transformative potential for regional trade and integration and welcomed further Japanese investment in dry storage facilities along the corridor in Mozambique, emphasizing on Malawi’s vision of becoming a regional trade gateway.
Beyond infrastructure, the Vice President hailed the contributions of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) programme.
“Since 1970, more than 1,900 Japanese volunteers have served in Malawi, making the country the largest recipient of JOCVs worldwide.
“Their work in education, agriculture, healthcare, and community development has profoundly impacted Malawian lives and strengthened people to exchange people,” she said.
Ansah reiterated Malawi’s commitment to attracting more Japanese investment and ensuring that companies already operating in the country thrive. She expressed confidence that under Ambassador Yasushi’s leadership, bilateral relations will continue to flourish, benefiting both countries.
On his part, Yasushi commended the long standing bilateral relationship that Malawi has had with Japan for the past 62 years.
He shared Japan’s interests in investing in mining and infrastructure and bringing more investment deals to Malawi.
