COMSIP COOPERATIVE
UNION LIMITED
NEWS
World Bank Country Manager Applauds Market Linkages and Community Entrepreneurship
By Mercy Chaluma
World Bank Group Country Manager for Malawi, Mr. Abdul Muwonge, has commended COMSIP Cooperative Union Limited for promoting entrepreneurship and strengthening rural enterprises through savings, business development and market linkages.
Mr. Muwonge made the remarks during a visit to Thondwe Upper Catchment, Traditional Authority Mlumbe, in Zomba District, where he interacted with communities participating in the Social Support for Resilient Livelihoods Project (SSRLP) - Tidzidalire.
The visit included a tour of the Climate-Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme and Shukurani COMSIP Bakery Cooperative, where he appreciated the group's business progress and the support it had received, including solar energy equipment and modern baking machinery to strengthen production.
During the community interaction, Mr. Muwonge expressed excitement at seeing more groups being established and encouraged members to embrace entrepreneurship as a pathway to economic independence.
He particularly applauded COMSIP's efforts to connect cooperatives to markets and purchase products from member groups, describing this as a practical way of supporting rural businesses.
“Supporting cooperatives to access markets, including buying products from them, is a practical way of strengthening rural businesses. It is encouraging to see more community groups embracing entrepreneurship and building their own enterprises,” he said.
Zomba District Commissioner, Mr. Fredrick Misinjo, also commended COMSIP for helping communities embrace the Savings and Loan concept, which has enabled members to mobilise savings, access loans and establish small businesses.
He observed that the income generated is helping families meet essential household needs, including paying school fees, purchasing farm inputs and building better homes.
The SSRLP is a Government of Malawi project financed by the World Bank and the Social Protection Multi-Donor Trust Fund and implemented through the National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC). COMSIP implements the Livelihoods Support Programme, which supports beneficiaries to build savings, develop businesses and transition towards sustainable livelihoods.
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