Book

The project employed cost-benefit analysis (CBA) to identify key interventions and policy priorities (Best Development Buys) to inform development planning in Malawi. A series of twenty (20) plus research papers (technical reports and policy briefs) were developed across six thematic areas: 1) Sustainable Agriculture; 2) Sustainable Economic Development; 3) Human Capital and Social Development 4) Sustainable Environment; 5) Demography; and 6) Governance, Peace, and Security. In its entirety, Malawi Priorities encompassed work streams for economic research (or CBA) and research uptake. The book was developed for the latter.

Malawi Priorities Book

Entitled “Malawi Priorities: A Benefit-Cost Analysis (BCA) for Policy Prioritisation”, the project’s research outputs have been pooled into an edited book that summarises the individual research pieces into select chapters – acknowledging all contributing technical experts respectively. The editorial team consists of four (4) project team members and was drawn from the three collaborating partners in the implementation of the project: two from NPC, one from AFIDEP and one from CCC. The chapters of the book have been organised based on the project’s thematic focus areas under which the papers were written. Accordingly, the editorial team has condensed the contents of each research paper into a coherent summary that provides readers, particularly policy makers, with a handy compendium that highlights the key findings of the project to inform decision making.

Launch Event

In order to generate traction and foster research uptake of the findings of the project, the book launch has been organised as a high-level dissemination event that convene key state and nonstate stakeholders. These include the Minister of Education; principal secretaries and directors of government ministries, departments, and agencies; chairpersons of parliamentary committees; development partners; non-governmental community; academia; and research institutions.

The half day event details the research process that went into the development of the manuscript by referring to the project’s research findings through a summarised priorities presentations of the research papers featured in the book. Additionally, the event shall include a panel discussion on the importance of policy prioritisation in Malawi given our limited fiscal space as a country, and thus the need to obtain the greatest return on investment for every kwacha that we invest. The book launch also served as a segue to highlight offshoot programmes that are being implemented from the evidence generated under the Malawi Priorities project.

Launch Programme