The UK is looking to contribute to the World Bank’s second National Water Development Programme in Malawi through the World Bank’s Africa Catalytic Growth Fund (ACGF). The ACGF, part of the Bank’s Africa Action Plan, aims to help Africa make faster progress in meeting the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and increasing the rate of economic growth. Financed by voluntary contributions, the ACGF complements other sources of development financing, including those from the Bank’s International Development Association (IDA). The UK has committed £200 million to the ACGF, of which £90 million has been paid to the Bank, to date, to support five projects. We are currently discussing with the Bank a proposed ACGF allocation of about $30 million (£15 million) to the Malawi National Water Development Programme, which would focus on strengthening the rural water supply and sanitation component, to be financed from the next UK contribution to the ACGF (due in April 2008).