Govt Eyes Nationwide E-payment for SCT Beneficiaries

Kaliati during the visit Kaliati during the visit - pic by Moses Masiye

Ministry of Gender and Social Welfare says is striving to scale out Social Cash Transfer (SCT) electronic payment to all districts countrywide having proved an effective tool for saving.

Minister responsible, Patricia Kaliati, said this in Ntcheu on Wednesday where she witnessed the disbursement of top-up amount of K20, 000 aimed at assisting beneficiaries stand the economic effects of Covid 19 pandemic.

Said Kaliati: "Irish Aid that supports government through UNICEF in assisting 22, 000 households in Balaka and Ntcheu under Social Cash Transfer, has come up with the additional amount considering the economic hardships accompanying Covid 19.

"We commend Irish Aid and we are borrowing this initiative to all other social cash transfer beneficiaries across Malawi."

She said it is only in Balaka and Ntcheu where the beneficiaries get their payment electronically through FDH Bank whereby many people have developed a saving culture.

"We are in talks with other partners supporting the program in other districts to borrow a leaf of e-payment from Balaka and Ntcheu so that many other beneficiaries are able to save the money they receive," said the gender minister.

Irish Ambassador to Malawi, Diarmuid Mclean, said they are satisfied to see the beneficiaries saving and invest the little money they receive.

"I am amused to witness how some beneficiaries have managed to embark on businesses and meaningful farming that had transformed their lives for the better," said McLean.

On whether the top up initiative is a once off thing or something that would continue throughout the waves of Covid 19, McLean says they will be guided by Malawi government but have the commitment.

Looking forward to the next population census, government says will incorporate persons with disabilities, the elderly and child headed households among other vulnerable and marginalized groups into the social cash transfer program.

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