Washington, DC / Blantyre, Malawi – September 2026 – FEI Consulting LLC, in partnership with Pazel-Conroy Consulting (PCC), is undertaking the Year 3 Independent Verification Agent (IVA) assignment for the Blantyre Water Board (BWB) under the World Bank-financed Malawi Water and Sanitation Project-1 (MWSP-1).
FEI and PCC are working with BWB and the Government of Malawi to independently verify the utility’s performance against the project’s Performance-Based Conditions (PBCs) for the 2025/2026 fiscal year. The assignment is being carried out under Contract No. MW-BWB-555974-CS-CDS, signed between Blantyre Water Board and the FEI Consulting-Pazel-Conroy Consulting Joint Venture in July 2026.
Independent verification of utility performance
The Year 3 IVA assignment covers five key performance areas:
• Energy efficiency: reduction in energy consumption per cubic meter of water produced;
• Financial efficiency: reduction in the working ratio;
• Operational efficiency: reduction in the number of staff per 1,000 connections;
• Customer service: increase in customer satisfaction; and
• Gender inclusion: increase in the percentage of female employees in decision-making roles.
FEI’s verification approach combines desk-based review and field verification, including analysis of operational and financial records, review of supporting documentation, validation of water production and energy consumption data, customer satisfaction surveys, and assessment of relevant institutional and human-resource indicators.
The work is intended to provide an independent and evidence-based assessment of BWB’s reported performance, supporting the Performance-Based Financing Mechanism under MWSP-1. The project uses performance-based financing to support improvements in BWB’s operational efficiency and governance systems while addressing broader challenges affecting water supply and sanitation services in Blantyre.
Strengthening water utility performance in Malawi
The assignment builds on FEI Consulting’s broader experience supporting water utilities, governments and development partners on utility performance improvement, financial sustainability, institutional strengthening, performance-based financing and water-sector reform.
Through the Year 3 verification, FEI and PCC are bringing together international and local expertise to assess performance using transparent methodologies and independently reviewed evidence.
The Year 3 verification process is currently being finalized, and the results will be communicated following completion of the applicable review and approval process.
Lance Morrell, Managing Director of FEI Consulting, said:
“We are pleased to support the Blantyre Water Board and the Government of Malawi through this important independent verification assignment. Performance-based financing can be an effective tool for strengthening utility accountability and encouraging measurable improvements in service delivery. Our role is to provide an objective, rigorous and evidence-based verification of the results reported under the program.”
About FEI Consulting
FEI Consulting LLC is a U.S.-based multidisciplinary consulting firm specializing in water and sanitation, municipal finance, blended finance, public-private partnerships, utility performance improvement and institutional strengthening. FEI works with governments, development finance institutions and public utilities across developing and emerging markets.
About Pazel-Conroy Consulting
Pazel-Conroy Consulting (PCC) is a regional consulting firm providing monitoring and evaluation, institutional strengthening, human-resource development and related advisory services across Southern and Eastern Africa.