always been at the core of my interests both professionally and personally. I thus feel I have somehow
The OPEC Fund team’s recent visit to the Temane power plant in Mozambique
Malawi NATIONAL CANCER CENTER AND THE OPEC FUND Approved: June 2014 Total project cost: US$14.75 million OPEC Fund financing: US$13.15 million
always been involved, in one way or another. At the OPEC
cooperation and solidarity, with a special emphasis on the most deprived regions and countries. From the outset, African nations received the most attention from OPEC Fund member countries and the continent received the bulk of our financial support. As an institution of the South, we leverage our strategic position and fruitful cooperation established over the years with partner countries and development finance institutions to optimize financial flows to Africa while achieving more sustainable and greater development impact. OFQ : The OPEC Fund is now in the second phase of its 2030 Strategic Framework. What does that mean for the engagement in Africa? KAZ: The second stage focuses on implementation and impact. The OPEC Fund’s operational approach reflects the need to maximize development impact and ensure greater relevance to our partner countries. Our public and private sector teams will seek solutions for our partner countries based on an assessment of their development priorities and our capacity to deliver.
Fund, and on a more operational level, I wish to highlight the first successful PPP operation – the US$2 billion Temane 450 MW power plant in Mozambique signed in 2019 – sponsored by our public and private financing windows. OFQ : What is the OPEC Fund’s historic and present role in Africa? KAZ: The OPEC Fund’s relations with Africa date back to 1976, when we signed our first ever loan with Sudan, a balance of payment agreement for US$7 million. Since then, we have come a long way: To date, the OPEC Fund has provided US$13.3 billion in financing in 48 countries through 912 private and public sector projects in all areas of the economy where we offer support. Our role is to provide financial resources and work closely with our partner countries to address their needs and contribute to the achievement of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). MK: The OPEC Fund was established in a particular historical context as a means to foster South-South
T he center is dedicated to cancer diagnosis, classification, treatment, rehabilitation, training and research, focusing on the cancers prevalent in Malawi. It offers adult oncology and palliative care services to the central and northern regions of Malawi, with plans for nationwide expansion following the completion of its radiotherapy unit. The completed facility will include patient wards for cancer patients, an outpatient unit, administrative offices, laboratories, radiology facilities, radiotherapy units and nuclear medicine infrastructure. The project is expected to be finalized by January 2024. An oncologist says: “The center has been a real game-changer. We now have easy access and a collaborative environment that allows us to diagnose and treat various forms of cancer effectively.” A patient says: “The care and
support I received have been life-changing. On a scale of one to 10, I personally give it a nine. Not only did they provide me with treatment, but they also offered emotional support that helped me navigate this challenging phase. ”
PHOTO: PIU
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