By Alex Adi | Antalya, Türkiye
Malawi has approved a proposal allowing Ghana’s Jospong Group of Companies (JGC) to undertake a feasibility study for the establishment of integrated waste management facilities in the country.
The approval by Malawi’s Public-Private Partnership Commission Board clears the way for the next stage of discussions towards a potential partnership.
The Principal Secretary at Malawi’s Ministry of Natural Resources, Dr. Misheard Yagontha Munthali, disclosed this during an interaction with the media on the sidelines of COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye.
He said the collaboration followed visits by the Malawian delegation to Ghana, where it engaged Jospong and signed a memorandum of understanding outlining areas of cooperation.
“I am glad to report that last week the Board was able to meet and has fully approved that Jospong can now come and do a full feasibility study of their operations in Malawi.”
Jospong is expected to arrange a date with the Ministry for the formal issuance of a letter authorising the study.
Four Cities First
The initial proposal will focus on four city councils — Lilongwe, Blantyre, Zomba and Mzuzu — before possible expansion to 28 district councils.
The feasibility study will guide both parties on locations, investment requirements and next steps.
Dr. Munthali described the approval as a major breakthrough, adding that Malawi was eager to move quickly.
Waste As Economic Opportunity
The Principal Secretary said the visit to Jospong’s operations in Ghana had changed the delegation’s perception of waste — from an environmental nuisance to an economic resource.
“For a long time, we used to look at waste as something bad or a nuisance or a problem. But when we visited Jospong, we realised that actually waste is a big economic opportunity.”
He said waste processing could generate useful products, improve sanitation and create jobs for young people, women and other groups.
Malawi is particularly interested in learning how waste can be converted into products such as fuel, gas and other materials.
Local Businesses To Remain Involved
The Minister for Natural Resources, Hon. Patricia Wiskes, stressed that the proposed arrangement is not intended to displace local waste management operators and small-scale businesses.
Under the model discussed, existing local operators will continue collecting waste from communities, while Jospong will concentrate on managing waste at designated sites for further processing.
“Our agreement with Jospong is that we are actually not going to push these small-scale business people out of business, but we’ll find a way to coordinate with them.”
She said effective coordination would ensure a steady supply of waste to the facilities and protect the interests of all parties.
Skills Transfer And Carbon Credits
The Director of Environmental Affairs, Tawonga Mbale-Luka, said Malawi expects foreign investors to work with local partners to strengthen domestic capacity and promote the transfer of knowledge and technical skills.
Minister Wiskes also said Malawi is interested in exploring opportunities to generate carbon credits from waste management, drawing on Jospong’s experience in developing carbon projects.
She further highlighted the Group’s experience in rehabilitating landfill sites for alternative community uses, including converting overused landfills into community parks.
“We also want to learn how we can create the same with some landfills that are overused. Maybe we can also remodel them to become a community park.”
The feasibility study is expected to provide the basis for a roadmap outlining the investment, operational arrangements and potential expansion of integrated waste management facilities in Malawi.
