The Road Funds in the region have convened for a three-day ARMFA Southern Africa Focal Group (ASAFG) meeting, hosted by the Roads Fund Administration (RFA) in Blantyre, Malawi from March 18 to 20, 2024.

Speaking during the opening ceremony, the RFA Board Chairperson Mr. Matthews Chikankheni thanked all ASAFG Members for attending the meeting, especially delegates from Angola, who were attending for the first time in Malawi.

He expressed his gratitude for Malawi to be part of the Association that brings African Road Funds together, saying that it means that RFA and other Road Funds in the region will continue to benefit from the exchange of programmes and information amongst member countries.

In his opening remarks, The ASAFG Chairperson and Road Fund CEO Mr. Nkekeletse Makara indicated that ARMFA is based on a business principle to ensure that it is a sustainable system that enables the members meet to address the challenges that they face in their operations.

He said Road Funds face many challenges, but the collaboration has yielded positive changes amongst them, citing an example of Malawi and Mozambique that recently opened inland tolls; having learnt about their operations from other countries such as Zambia and Zimbabwe. 

Delivering the official opening address, the Malawi Secretary to Treasury Prof. Betchani Tcheleni, indicated that well maintained roads can boost the economic status of the Southern Africa Region, as the roads facilitate easy access of countries within the region for collaborations including ferrying of passengers and goods for business and leisure, thereby enhancing relations and economies of these countries.

He said Road Funds are entrusted to provide solutions in financing and maintenance of roads and to align themselves with new developments in the sector, adding that through these meetings, there is hope that the Roads Funds will come with innovative solutions to deal with the challenges that the sector may face.

The ASAFG Meeting convened under the theme ‘The Impact of Legal Frameworks and Climate Change on the Sustainability of Road Funds’ in preparation for the Annual General Assembly (AGA) to be hosted in Ivory Coast.

The ASAFG meeting is hosted at least twice a year and it rotates amongst members. It is a platform for collaboration and concerted efforts amongst members, and it also prepares for the Annual General Assembly where all Road Funds in Africa convene. The last ASAFG meeting was hosted by the Road Fund in Namibia.      

Media contacts:

Phumla Moleko (Mrs.)

Head of Corporate Communications

Road Fund

Tel: +266 22216036                                                                                       

Email: molekop@roadfund.org.ls

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