Malawi is among Africa's and the world's poorest nations despite significant economic and structural reforms aimed at sustaining growth. The Malawi Growth and Development Strategy (MGDS) guides the country's development through a series of five-year plans aligned with long-term goals outlined in Vision 2020. By the conclusion of MGDS II implementation in 2016, Malawi saw some successes, with an average GDP growth of 4.5% over the period. Progress towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) was mixed, with the country meeting four of the eight goals, including reducing child mortality, combating HIV/AIDS, malaria, and ensuring environmental sustainability. Malawi's heavy dependence on agriculture, employing nearly 80% of the population, leaves it vulnerable to external shocks, particularly climatic ones.