By Evelyn Hernandez, CoST Technical Director & Samuel Biton, Malawi MSG Chairperson
Malawi is on the frontlines of climate change. From devastating cyclones to prolonged droughts and recurring floods, the country’s infrastructure is under constant strain. Roads wash away, hydropower systems falter, and irrigation schemes fail to deliver when they are needed most.
In response, climate finance is flowing. Major investments are being mobilised to strengthen resilience, expand energy access, and protect livelihoods. But a critical question remains: are these investments delivering the results Malawi urgently needs?
The answer, increasingly, is unclear, not because of a lack of effort or funding, but because of a lack of reliable, structured data.
A system rich in funding, poor in visibility
An independent review of climate-related infrastructure projects in Malawi paints a concerning picture. Across 19 projects valued at US$2.19 billion, there is strong alignment with national climate priorities on paper. Every project claims to support climate mitigation or adaptation goals. But when it comes to evidence, the picture changes.
Key data elements, such as the budget allocated to climate finance investments, remain undisclosed for 17% of the projects under review. Most critically, none of the projects publishes baseline data, making it impossible to measure whether climate outcomes are actually being achieved. Without baseline data, performance indicators, or consistent reporting, climate finance risks becoming a system of declared intentions rather than demonstrable results.
Why infrastructure transparency and climate finance matter
Infrastructure is where climate finance meets reality. It is where resilience is built or undermined. When infrastructure fails, the consequences are immediate and visible.
In Malawi, this vulnerability is evident. The country’s heavy reliance on climate-sensitive infrastructure, particularly hydropower and road networks, means that climate shocks can quickly translate into economic disruption. Damage to critical assets not only affects service delivery but also diverts scarce resources toward repairs and reconstruction.
Yet without transparent, accessible data, it is difficult to understand why projects succeed or fail. Was the project poorly designed? Was procurement competitive? Were funds disbursed on time? Did the investment deliver its intended climate impact?
These are the questions that transparency in infrastructure is meant to answer. And increasingly, they are the questions that remain unanswered.
The missing link: standardised, open data
As CoST guidance highlights, the lack of standardised data limits the ability to evaluate whether climate finance is sufficient, appropriate, and delivering results.
In Malawi, the challenge is not the absence of data altogether. It is the absence of standardised, usable data, despite having a digital tool capable of collecting and publishing data in an open format.
Different projects report information in different ways, if they report it at all. Financial details may be available for some projects but not others. Procurement information may be partial or missing. Climate outcomes are often described qualitatively, without measurable indicators.
This fragmentation makes it difficult for policymakers, donors, and citizens to assess the effectiveness of climate finance investments or compare performance across projects.
A practical solution already exists
Malawi is not starting from scratch. The country has already taken important steps toward improving transparency through the Information Platform for Public Infrastructure (IPPI) and its engagement with CoST – the Infrastructure Transparency Initiative.
The next step is to fully leverage these systems by embracing the new climate finance module of the Open Contracting for Infrastructure Data Standard (OC4IDS), available in the IPPI.
This module provides a structured framework for publishing data across the entire project lifecycle, including:
- Climate objectives and intended outcomes
- Financial instruments and funding sources
- Alignment with national and international climate commitments
- Beneficiaries and co-benefits
- Key performance indicators
- Carbon efficiency and long-term impact metrics
By publishing this information in an open, standardised format, Malawi can move from fragmented reporting to actionable insight.
From data to better decisions
The real value of standardised data lies in what it enables. With consistent, high-quality data, policymakers can identify which projects deliver the greatest impact and allocate resources accordingly. Donors can track how funds are used and assess value for money. Oversight institutions can detect risks early and intervene before problems escalate.
Perhaps most importantly, data allows for learning. Why did one irrigation project underperform while another succeeded? Why do some projects experience delays or cost overruns? Which investments deliver measurable climate benefits?
These are the insights that can transform climate finance from a reactive system into a strategic one.
An urgent call to action
Malawi’s experience offers a broader lesson for countries across the Global South. Climate finance alone is not enough. Without transparency, it cannot deliver its full potential.
To close this gap, the Government of Malawi and its development partners should take decisive steps:
- Mandate full lifecycle data publication for all climate-funded infrastructure projects.
- Use the OC4IDS and its climate finance module embedded in the IPPI.
- Link funding and disbursements to the availability and quality of data.
- Invest in capacity to ensure that data is not only published but also used.
These are strategic choices that will determine whether climate finance delivers real, measurable impact for Malawi and its people.
From vulnerability to leadership
Malawi is one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change. But it also has the opportunity to lead.
By embracing open data standards and strengthening infrastructure transparency, Malawi can demonstrate how climate finance can be managed effectively, accountably, and in the public interest.
The bets are high. Climate finance is not just about funding mitigation and adaptation projects; it is about building resilience, protecting livelihoods, and securing the future.
To achieve that, Malawi must move from ambition to accountability. And accountability begins with open and standardised data.