Agribusiness · Malawi

Water and energy efficiency in Malawi’s macadamia sector

Economic Advisory for IFC: assessing water and energy use, performance benchmarks and investment priorities in Malawi’s macadamia sector.

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Assignment overview

Client	International Finance Corporation (IFC)
Country	Malawi
Sector	Agribusiness — macadamia production
Expertise	Economic Advisory
Deliverable	Water and energy efficiency study — final report, May 2025

The mandate

IFC commissioned GIA to assess water and energy efficiency in Malawi’s macadamia sector. The study examined resource use and opportunities for improvement, providing an analytical basis for operational priorities and investment planning.

Economic Advisory

The assignment combined sector research, farm-level data analysis and infrastructure assessment to connect resource efficiency with investment considerations.

Resource-use assessment: review of irrigation arrangements, water consumption, energy use and production data.
Performance benchmarking: development and analysis of water and energy indicators, drawing on international comparisons and the local operating context.
Irrigation analysis: comparison of estimated crop water requirements with irrigation practices.
Energy assessment: review of power supply options and opportunities for renewable energy integration.
Investment review: assessment of proposed infrastructure improvements and recommendations for measurement, monitoring and resource management.

Deliverable

GIA prepared a final report setting out the assessment, benchmarking approach and recommendations. The work provided IFC with a basis for considering resource-efficiency priorities and potential investment needs within the sector.