Malawi endorses Jospong waste management investment at COP31

Malawi has given the green light for Ghana’s Jospong Group of Companies (JGC) to conduct a feasibility study on establishing integrated waste management facilities within the country. This approval came after Malawi's Public-Private Partnership Commission Board met and cleared the path for potential collaboration. Dr. Misheard Yagontha Munthali, Principal Secretary at Malawi's Ministry of Natural Resources, revealed this during a press conference at COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye.

The feasibility study will focus on four major city councils initially - Lilongwe, Blantyre, Zomba, and Mzuzu - with potential expansion to 28 district councils later on. The study aims to guide both Malawi and Jospong on areas such as locations, investment requirements, and the next steps.

Prior to this, Malawi's delegation had visited Jospong's operations in Ghana, leading to a significant shift in the perception of waste. The delegation now sees waste not as an environmental nuisance, but as an economic resource. Waste can be converted into useful products like fuel, gas, and other materials, improve sanitation, and create jobs for young people, women, and other groups.

The Malawian government is keen to explore how waste can be converted into fuel, gas, and other materials. Local businesses, including small-scale operators, will continue to play a role in waste collection while Jospong will manage waste at designated sites for processing. The partnership does not intend to displace these local businesses but rather, create a coordinated system for waste management.

Malawi also seeks to learn from Jospong's experience in generating carbon credits from waste management and converting overused landfills into community parks. The feasibility study is expected to provide a roadmap for Malawi's future waste management landscape, including investment and operational arrangements, and potential expansion of integrated facilities.