Mutharika says Africa need to industrialise to move out of poverty: Malawi 300MW coal-fired power plant to improve country’s industry and economy
President Prof. Arthur Peter Mutharika has told fellow African leaders at the on-going Forum for China-Africa Forum (Focac) that what the continent needs most is to industrialise if it is to move out of poverty faster.
He was speaking during his contribution at the 2018 roundtable discussion between African leaders and China in Beijing on Tuesday.
‘‘Yes we need trade, fair and equitable trade as a matter of fact. But, what are we going to be trading on if we don’t have capacity to produce?’’, asked Mutharika.
President Mutharika further said China and developing countries are facing a dangerous storm adding that if they are to survive they have to join hands.
‘‘Trade protectionism is of the issues threatening jobs in developing countries. If we are to survive this storm we need to join hands’’, he said.
Mutharika who is Youth Champion hailed China’s Belt and Road initiative saying it will open up Africa and create jobs for youths in Africa.
‘‘The majority of the population in Africa are youth, we should stop looking the at the youth as a problem. They are an opportunity. If we empower them with relevant skills they will positively contribute towards the drive towards prosperity,” said the Malawi leader.
President Mutharika that Malawi is committed to its relationship with China adding that Malawi will work hard to promote the relationship.
Mutharika reiterated that Malawi supports the One China policy.
All African leaders that spoke during the roundtable discussion hailed the relationship between China and their countries citing that China treats them as a mutual partner.
Chinese President Xi Ping chaired the morning session of the roundtable discussions while South African President Cyril Ramaphosa Chaired the afternoon session.
Meanwhile, Malawi is to build a new 300MW coal-fired power plant at Kammwamba in Neno.
President Mutharika during his visit in Beijing, met with the China Energy Engineering Group (CEEC) to discuss the details of the planned facility in Kammwamba, which is hoped wil provide improved energy access and boost the economy.
The CEEC has now finalised and secured approval for the two preparatory phases of the coal project, following the government meeting all 14 conditions set by the financiers AXIM Bank of China to access the loan for the project.
Mutharika said the shortage of electricity to industries is one of the major challenges facing companies and citizens, slowing growth.
He said: “We need the extra energy as soon as yesterday. That’s why we’re very serious about this project. If we have their extra wattage from this project, our economy will perform much better than now.”
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Does it mean that Muthalika does not know the cause of Africa’s stagnation of economic progress? How would Africans industrialised to move out of poverty,while state funds,go to Muthalika’s personal Bank Accounts abroad? Whom is Muthalika trying to hoodwink? Africa will never move out of poverty if the kind of Muthalikas are still in power.African must first destroy these serpents from power.As Muthalika is,his first ambition is to steal as much finances as he can to live a heavenly life with his family in the USA.him and his late brother,came to Malawi to enrich themselves through treacherous means.You can see… Read more »
Fine words Mr President, but what have you been doing for the past four years? In fact what has Malawi been doing since independence 54 years ago! It is all very well talking about industrialization and producing goods for export, but how is Malawi to break into already existing markets? It means producing high quality goods at competitive prices that are in demand elsewhere. The developed world began to industrialize two centuries ago and most of its industry now uses automation and robots for precision and speed of manufacture. How is Malawi going to compete in such a market? Beginning… Read more »
You spoke well Mr president. Unfortunately, that’s all you can manage to do. What you speak and what you do on the ground is different. With due respect sir, we have tried and tested you and we have seen that you have failed to deliver what you promised us in your manifesto. If you were a statesman, you could have just resigned. But since you are not, well, we will wait for May 2019.
In this modern age why are we even thinking of coal.. Its not a clean energy.. Koma umphawi can reduce the entire president to irrational thinking..
You stupid ignorant dunderhead, give me just one developed country that doesn’t use electricity made from coal.
By 2031 the EU will have phased out all coal powered stations, as per the paris agreement, which Malawi has also signed. Funding to build enviromentalally friendly power stations (solar,wind, which Malawi has an abundance of) is available from the richer countries to the poorer countries as per the Paris agreement. This agreement with china just puts us more in chinas pocket with very little return, as coal becomes more expensive!!!!!
Which coal is becoming more expensive? Are you still living in 2018 or in the past? In fact, the coal world price has been and is decreasing drastically and even the estimated prices show the same. And here you are talking about 2031 and EU?. I needed a country in 2018 and not EU in 2031. Malawi is far behind from the developed countries on the economic radar. And every country has it’s own industrialization period and no any other country has ever gone through that stage without electricity from coal. My point is, as electricity from coal power plants… Read more »
Did US sign the Paris agreement? The Kyoto agreement of 1997?? Why not??? If you read around you will know the west is just fooling you around. No economy can survive absence of coal. Mpaka pano you still don’t know these are simply talk shows. All rich nations use coal. All poor african nations are told coal is evil. Remain poor that’s what we are. Umbuli ma africans shame on us.
Dude just shut your hole up, even South Africa uses call for energy. what is wrong with you people, do you even know what you want? The question is, is coal going to reduce power black outs, if the answer is yes then i’d say let’s go for it. fuck you man! you don’t love your country.
You are the one who don’t understand the meaning of clean energy. Can US survive on clean energy? You are simply fooled by the whites and dance to their tunes. Wake up Malawi coal is the deal.
Donald Trump ordered all coal powered plants reopen in the USA………You do not kno
Just good at talking.
Heard about this power station ages ago. There was a board in place for years… what have they been doing??
It is coming
When you borrow money you follow a process which APM has now concluded
Malawi dont need to industrialise, they need to stop CORRUPTION, it’s what killing and bringing this nation backward….basi , CORRUPTION, even a primary school kid knows this
When it comes from the mouth of Chilima you say it is not possible
Bwana president mfundo ndiye muli nazo but I don’t know where you get it wrong. If you are able to deliver half of what you have just articulated, Malawi will indeed begin to look like our neighbours and if you indeed implement 100% of what you have just said; Malawi will begin to look like like Europe by 2024. What you have said about the youths is true…what you have said about industrialising Malawi is also true. Now, the challenge is for you to sign deals with China wherein they will deliver plant and machinery/equipment for various factories to start… Read more »
abale zaka zosezi olo tipite kunja nkhani yake imakhala yomweyi. koma anta kusintha. olo mmangopita kuchuti. mbuzi yopanda mano mxiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii
Mbuzi ndi iweyo yokudya nsipu
All talk and no action. A waste of money going there!
Your comment lacks rationality, full of emotions. Not helpful am sorry.