Malawi News

Lazarus Chakwera launches K350 billion Neef loan programme

Lazarus Chakwera launches K350 billion Neef loan programme

By Blessings Makuwira & Blessings Tambala:

President Lazarus Chakwera has launched a K350 billion loan disbursement programme which is set to benefit Malawians over the next five years.

The initiative was launched in Balaka District Thursday at an event that saw stakeholders celebrating that the National Economic Empowerment Fund (Neef) had disbursed K100 billion in the past three years.

Chakwera assured Malawians that those who did not benefit from the first phase of loan disbursement would be included in the second phase.

“I feel pain when I see community members, including youths, facing economic challenges. This is why we have introduced another phase of loan disbursement to benefit all Malawians without favouring anyone,” Chakwera said.

Humphrey Mdyetseni

Taking his turn, Neef Chief Executive Officer Humphrey Mdyetseni reported that about K100 billion had been disbursed to Malawians from 2021 to 2024, benefitting approximately 175,000 individuals and creating around 500,000 jobs.

“We were given a target of K75 billion but we have managed to disburse K100 billion. We are now set to disburse K350 billion over the next five years,” he said.

Member of Parliament for Balaka West, Bertha Ndebele, said Neef loans have uplifted lives.

She urged the authorities to ensure that more people benefit from the facility in the second phase.

The loan disbursement programme aims to empower communities and promote national economic growth.