Government of Malawi and the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) have launched the US$350 million (about K612 billion) second compact at a ceremony held in Dallas, Texas, in the United States of America (USA).

The launch, which coincided with the MCC’s 20th Anniversary celebrations held at the George W. Bush Presidential Center, was presided over by Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, President of Malawi and Alice Albright, MCC Chief Executive Officer.

Writing on his Facebook page on Tuesday, President Chakwera announced that the MCC Compact 2, also known as Malawi Transport and Land Compact, is now in force, adding that construction will soon commence of four road corridors across the country under the Increased Land Productivity Project.

“Up North there will be upgrading of the 67km stretch from Chikwawa (Rumphi) to Euthini (Mzimba), in the Central region from Mkanda (Mchinji) to Mwase/Linga (Kasungu) a distance of 88kms and another 53kms in Lilongwe from Chileka to Chigwirizano via Phiri la Njuzi and Malingunde. The Eastern Region will see upgrading of the 79km-stretch from Chamtulo in Mangochi (off Golomoti to Monkey Bay road) to Mkutumula near Balaka Market in Ntcheu,” said the President.

Chakwera stated that the corridor roads will facilitate greater flow of agricultural products from farms to markets.

He further stated that the compact will build Malawi’s capacity in land management reforms to maximize land revenue both for rural farmers and the national economy.

“My delegation and I attended the official inauguration of the Compact here in Texas. In reciprocation, MCC chief executive officer Ms. Alice Albright will later this month join us in Malawi for official groundbreaking of one of these landmark projects,” said Chakwera.