The Minister for International Development, , will say that economic
growth “is at the heart of development”, announcing measures to
drive growth in Malawi and Zambia.
On a trip to the region, will announce a package of
educational support in Malawi and measures to drive green growth
in Zambia.
The Minister will highlight how delivering our development
priorities contributes to the government's Plan for Change by
boosting global prosperity and unlocking benefits for the UK that
drive growth at home.
Developing education will help to boost economic ties between the
UK and Malawi, and unlock the potential of women and girls to
tackle inter-generational poverty and create their own
businesses.
The programme will aim to accelerate learning, doubling the
number of children with basic mathematics skills by age 10, and
aims to reach 1,500 secondary schoolgirls with scholarships and
mentorships.
Funding will provide £39 million over five years and will ensure
every student has workbooks, teachers receive on-going coaching
and learning is accessible to children with disabilities.
The Minister will then travel to Zambia as the country celebrates
60 years of independence. With President Hichilema she will
sign agreements which will help deliver on the government's
growth and clean energy missions, including increased cooperation
on renewable energy, climate, economic growth and reducing
poverty.
She will reaffirm the UK's commitment to the UK-Zambia Green
Growth Compact with an aim to drive £2.5bn of UK private
investment into green projects in Zambia and commit to greater UK
support to the Zambian energy sector.
The Minister of State for Development, said:
“Growth is the key driver of development.
“More growth in Malawi and Zambia is good for those
countries, good for our climate and good for UK businesses,
helping to deliver our UK growth agenda.
“Education and clean energy will drive development, unlocking
opportunity, equality, and economic growth. Having heard
firsthand the barriers to education, I am proud that the UK will
support children to access vital learning and tackling the root
causes that stop children from going to school.
“This is our new approach to development, working in
partnership with Malawi and Zambia to deliver meaningful,
impactful support to boost education and drive growth.”
As part of her 4-day visit, the Minister will announce the
funding package at a primary school, where she will speak to
school children about the challenges to education in the country.
She will meet with the government discussing how to strengthen
the UK-Malawi partnership, global financial system reform and
food insecurity.
Educational opportunities for children in Malawi are limited.
Only 13% of 10-year-olds develop basic maths skills and only 15%
of girls take their next steps into secondary school. Many of the
most vulnerable students are further disadvantaged by extreme
weather, which is significantly damaging agriculture and food
security, restricting their ability to go to school.
Aiming to address the root causes which prevent children
benefiting from education, the UK will also provide £2.5 million
of humanitarian aid for 285,000 people ahead of the upcoming
cyclone season. Support will provide emergency kits consisting of
food rations, hygiene essentials and support for search and
rescue capabilities, including equipment and training.
NOTES TO EDITORS
- It is estimated that 400 million students globally have
experienced school closures due to extreme weather since
2022.
- Education, especially for girls and women, has wide-ranging
benefits for individuals, families, and societies. It can unlock
the potential of women and girls to tackle inter-generational
poverty and can create economic growth.
- Extreme weather in Malawi is affecting harvests with
28% of the population projected to be in crisis levels of food
insecurity.
- The £2.5 million contribution of humanitarian assistance is
part of FCDO's £90.5 million Building Resilience and Adapting to
Climate Change programme (2018-2026) to strengthen the resilience
of poor households in Malawi to extreme weather.
- During the Minister's visit to Zambia: she will sign
Memorandums of Understanding between the UK and Zambian
Governments, including:
o Reaffirming UK's commitment to the UK-Zambia
Green Growth Compact, with a headline target of £2.5 billion of
UK private investment to Zambian green investment.
o A new Memorandum of Understanding on energy
sector support.
