From August 8-9, 2013 in Machinga district the mobile telephone service provider Airtel held a product training session to sensitize district officers on the use of mobile devices in the upcoming electronic payments pilot in this district. The trainees will then be expected to go out to the district and impart their knowledge to the beneficiaries of the Program as they begin receiving their transfers using this new payment modality.

On August 16, 2013 a Strategic Planning workshop was held in Lilongwe to identify and address key Program bottlenecks in a harmonized manner. A wide cross-section of Program stakeholders were in attendance for a very interactive and productive session. Financial issues grabbed the spotlight as a new way forward was mapped out and agreed on by all. We look forward to the results in the upcoming quarter and beyond as the Program progresses through the retargeting phase into enrolment.