Malawi Priorities Project
What are the most effective ways to drive impact for the most people in Malawi? Malawi Priorities Project is a research-based collaborative project implemented by the Malawi National Planning Commission and the Copenhagen Consensus Center to identify and promote the most cost-effective interventions that address Malawi’s development challenges and support the attainment of its development aspirations.
The project seeks to provide the government with a systematic process to help prioritize the most effective policy solutions to maximize social, environmental, and economic benefits of every kwacha invested.
APPROACH
Together with the National Planning Commission of Malawi, the Copenhagen Consensus Center is identifying, analyzing, ranking, and promoting the most cost-effective development interventions for Malawi
The cost-benefit analysis is the primary analytical tool adopted by the project and will be applied to 20-30 research questions of national importance. The cost-benefit analyses in the Malawi Priorities Project quantify in financial terms the social, economic, and environmental outcomes of interventions that accrue to all the Malawian society. This allows for comparisons of various approaches to estimate the impact for every kwacha spent.
The outcomes of the Malawi Priorities Project ultimately aim to inform budget decisions by the Government of Malawi and donors and to inform JBJ Foundation’s investment decisions in Malawi. Research began in 2020 and is expected to be completed in 2021. To follow the progress and read more about the most promising interventions, please visit Malawi Priorities Project.
CHALLENGE
Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the world. Given the limited resources available, how can the Malawian government and other donors prioritize among available options for driving the most impact to benefit the people, the economy, and society?
ABOUT THE PARTNERS
The National Planning Commission of Malawi was established through an Act of Parliament in 2017 with two main mandates: to coordinate the development of long - and medium-term national development plans for Malawi, and to oversee the implementation of those plans and coordinate the efforts of different stakeholders in achieving common objectives defined in the overall national development agenda.
The Copenhagen Consensus Center is an award-winning] think tank that researches the smartest solutions for the world’s biggest problems, advising policymakers and philanthropists how to spend their money most effectively.
I applaud the JBJ Foundation’s commitment to cost-effectiveness. By funding the Malawi Priorities Project that generates cost-benefit analyses across the major policy areas in Malawi, JBJF helps focus attention on best buys and where policy can deliver the biggest benefits first. Prioritizing such high-yielding interventions can supercharge development.
Bjorn Lomborg, President of Copenhagen Consensus Center
ABOUT THE PARTNERS
The National Planning Commission of Malawi was established through an Act of Parliament in 2017 with two main mandates: to coordinate the development of long- and medium-term national development plans for Malawi, and to oversee the implementation of those plans, and coordinate the efforts of different stakeholders in achieving common objectives defined in the overall national development agenda.
The Copenhagen Consensus Center is an award-winning think tank that researches and publishes the smartest solutions to the world's biggest problems. Their studies are conducted by more than 300 economists from internationally renowned institutions, including seven Nobel Laureates, to advise policymakers and philanthropists on how to achieve the best results with their limited resources.