Limited Loan Uptake Among People with Disabilities, Neef Reports
The National Economic Empowerment Fund (Neef) has reported that only 216 people with disabilities have received loans since the fund launched in 2021.
The figures reveal significant regional disparities, with 31 beneficiaries in the Northern Region, 42 in the Southern Region, and a majority, 129, in the Central Region.
A financial breakdown shows that K10.15 million has been disbursed in the Northern Region, K25.15 million in the Central Region, and K14.25 million in the Southern Region.
Despite these allocations, Neef credit manager Whyghtone Mweta expressed disappointment over the low uptake, describing the trend as “discouraging” and highlighting a gap in reaching more people with disabilities nationwide.
The Federation of Disability Organizations in Malawi (Fedoma) has raised similar concerns, pointing to systemic issues in service delivery.
Simon Munde, Fedoma’s executive director, stated that the lack of disability-inclusive approaches among service providers is a major factor behind the low participation rates. He stressed that without removing these barriers, Neef’s goals for economic empowerment will remain unattainable for many with disabilities.
This report has sparked calls for Neef and other financial institutions to implement more inclusive practices, such as accessible application processes and targeted outreach, to improve access to financial opportunities for people with disabilities.
