Evaluation of Japan’s ODA to the Republic of Malawi

Chief Evaluator	Professor DAIMON Takeshi Director, Institute for International Peace Strategy Waseda University
Advisor	Dr. KAWAGUCHI Jun Associate Professor, Faculty of Human Sciences, Tsukuba University
Consultant	Waseda University
Evaluation Period	FY2016 to FY2020
Period of the Evaluation Study	August 2021 to March 2022
Field Survey Country	Republic of Malawi (online survey)

Background, Objectives, and Scope of the Evaluation

Since the dispatch of the first Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) to Malawi in 1971, Japan has offered both technical cooperation and grant aid to Malawi. As Malawi is a part of the Nacala Corridor connecting Zambia and Mozambique, Japan’s assistance to Malawi contributes not only to the development of Malawi but also to that of the Southern African region, and to the stable supply of natural resources, as well as fostering poverty reduction and human security. This report examines Japan’s ODA policy for Malawi and their implementation in the priority areas of the Country Assistance/Development Cooperation Policy during the period between FY2016 and FY2020. The aim is to draw recommendations and lessons for Japan’s future aid-policy planning and implementation for Malawi. By publicizing the results of the evaluation, it seeks to fulfill its accountability to Japanese citizens, and to offer feedback to the Government of Malawi and other donors working in Malawi.

Summary of Evaluation Results

● Development Viewpoints

(1) Relevance of Policies

Consistency with Japan’s high-level policies was Satisfactory, despite the fact that areas relating to human security and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) need further effort. Regarding the relevance to other donors’ ODA policies, the consistency was maintained. However, because Japan’s participation in dialogue mechanisms set by the Government of Malawi was seen as passive by some donors, the respective verification criterion was rated as Partially Satisfactory. At the same time, as Japan’s assistance to Malawi was highly consistent with Malawi’s developmental needs, and Japan’s comparative advantage was demonstrated fully, hence the overall Relevance of Policies was rated as Satisfactory.
(Evaluation Result: Satisfactory)

(2) Effectiveness of Results

Although in some projects delays were detected or expected results were not delivered in each priority area, inputs have generated desired outcomes. Moreover, overall planned objectives were accomplished and mid- to long-term impacts were identified. Hence, Effectiveness of Results of Japan’s assistance to Malawi was rated Satisfactory.
(Evaluation Result: Satisfactory)

(3) Appropriateness of Processes

The Country Development Cooperation Policy and other assistance policies have been formulated in a proper manner. Appropriateness of the assistance implementation structure was high, and special considerations and measures for Malawi’s vulnerable financial situation were made. Regarding coordination and exchange of ideas with other donors, a gap was found between the perception of the Japanese side and that of some donors. Efforts of public diplomacy for the people of Malawi were identified, but further efforts are required. Although one verification criterion was rated Partially Satisfactory, the overall performance reached the Satisfactory level.
(Evaluation Result: Satisfactory)

* Ratings: Highly Satisfactory; Satisfactory; Partially Satisfactory; Unsatisfactory

● Diplomatic Viewpoints

(1) Diplomatic Importance

Being categorized as one of the least developed countries (LDCs), Malawi’s economic indicators are low. Being a landlocked country, Malawi is susceptible to surrounding security situations and vulnerable to infectious diseases from its neighbors. Hence, supporting such a country is important for the stability and prosperity of the Southern African region, and for the promotion of the human security perspectives. Japan’s assistance to Malawi contributes to the peace, stability, and prosperity of the international community, in particular, Africa. It proved to be significant for the establishment of international order based on fundamental values such as liberty, democracy, and rule of law.

(2) Diplomatic Impact

Malawi has supported Japan on various occasions in the international community, which can be counted as an impact of Japan’s assistance to Malawi. Malawi has also supported the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) process, which contributed to the enhancement of Japan’s diplomatic presence in Southern Africa. Continuous engagement of JOCVs in Malawi has contributed to the development of important human networks and enhancement of mutual understanding in the bilateral relationship between Japan and Malawi. Although efforts were made through the “African Business Education Initiative for Youth (ABE initiative)” to link Japan’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with Malawi’s industrial workforce, at this point, they have not resulted in the expansion of Japanese business and private sector investment in Malawi.

Recommendations Based on Evaluation Results

(1) Measures that contribute to the advancement of Japanese SMEs and NGOs, and the improvement of the investment environment should be strengthened further.

In collaboration with countries and donors who have supported the formation of Malawi’s legal system, Japan should scrutinize Malawi’s corporate and tax laws and support revision procedures to remove barriers to entry for foreign companies, NGOs, and investment. Japan should also collaborate with other donors to provide technical cooperation to simplify customs procedures. Without being bound by the traditional development sectors, Japan should explore fields such as entrepreneurship, finance, and investment that promote business opportunities for Japanese SMEs. The selection criteria for the “ABE Initiative” fellows should be revised to find human resources with strong entrepreneurship, including candidates for executives of private companies, which would contribute to the improvement of supportive infrastructure for Japanese SMEs to envision joint ventures with Malawian entrepreneurs.

(2) A “Human Resources Bank (tentatively named) ” for Malawian students and trainees (studied or studying in Japan) should be established to strengthen their network building and application.

A “Human Resources Bank (tentatively named)” for Malawian students and trainees who have studied or are studying in Japan to build a human resources network should be set up on the cloud under the jurisdiction of the JICA Malawi Office, taking into consideration the protection of personal information of registrants. For its operation, the alumni association for former students and trainees called the Kakehashi should be mobilized. By allowing the Kakehashi to operate the Bank proactively, Japan should support the Kakehashi not only to be the hub for the network among Malawian students and trainees, but also to be a bridge between them and the public in Malawi, as well as a bridge to Japanese SMEs, investors, and NGOs. Upon establishing the Bank, a knowledge co-creation program and/or a technical cooperation project can be introduced, as making the Bank user friendly for Japanese SMEs and investors can also contribute to Recommendation 1.

(3) Strategic and continuous utilization of Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCVs) and core human resources on the Malawi side should be pursued.

Japan’s comparative advantage in supporting Malawi lies in its technical cooperation through human resource development at the grassroots level. In this effort, Japan should make effective use of former JOCVs. To promote this, opportunities for former JOCVs to acquire specialized knowledge and skills should be increased. By allowing JOCVs to continue working in Malawi after their term expires, they should be provided with additional opportunities to gain experience and improve their expertise, which could prepare a career path for them to become Senior Volunteers and Experts. Identify Malawian counterparts and former trainees of Japanese projects as core human resources and enhance follow-up with them in order to encourage their continued involvement. They should be allowed to update periodically their knowledge and skills through refresher training. To improve their knowledge and skills further, the Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS) should be introduced in Malawi, expanding their options to advance their career at graduate schools in Japan, adding to the menu of existing long-term training schemes such as “ABE Initiative” and “SDGs Global Leaders.”

(4) Public diplomacy strategies aimed at the people of Malawi should be strengthened.

ODA’s public relations should be reconsidered strategically so that ODA’s diplomatic spillover effect can be enhanced. Japan should continue to upgrade its “face-to-face” assistance so that not only our faces can be seen but also messages from Japanese people to Malawian people can be heard. Japan should envisage two-way diplomacy utilizing participatory social media such as SNS so that the voice of the Japanese people can be conveyed not only to the government and aid officials in Malawi but also to the public. The Kakehashi should be given a public relations function for the domestic audience in Malawi, which the Malawi Society of Japan has fulfilled in Japan. Taking advantage of former trainees and students who are blessed with the power to influence others, Japan should increase the frequency of dissemination on SNS, and should request Malawian influencers and artists to effectively publicize Japan’s ODA on SNS to improve the quality of ODA public relations.

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