Transport Ministry Pushes Integrated, Modern and Resilient Infrastructure for Malawi’s Future
From restoring key highways to reviving lake transport and advancing airport projects, the government commits to transforming the sector despite funding and climate‑related challenges.
By Denis Mzembe
From restoring key highways to reviving lake transport and advancing airport projects, the Malawian government has committed to transforming the sector despite funding and climate‑related challenges.
Landlocked Malawi faces an arduous task of revitalising its transport sector, after decades of neglect.
Secretary for Transport and Public Works, Bright Kumwembe, says the government has embarked on upgrading, rehabilitation, and construction of road, rail, water, and air transport systems to contribute to the country’s socio-economic development.
Kumwembe, speaking in an exclusive interview, observes that some sections of the country’s roads were experiencing significant deterioration, warranting restoration of their functionality.
He says: “In particular, the M1 Corridor between Lilongwe and Blantyre has developed potholes, pavement distress and compromised drainage”.
Kumwembe says in view of this, the ministry has initiated comprehensive maintenance and rehabilitation programs through the Roads Authority, financed by ring-fenced resources, including the fuel levy and tollgate collections.
He says this is aimed at restoring the functionality, safety and resilience of the country’s road network while ensuring more sustainable asset management.
For example, he says the government intends to upgrade the Rumphi-Nyika Road in the Northern Region, improve the capacity of the Kaunda-Chendawaka Road in the capital, Lilongwe, and rehabilitate the Lakeshore Road and the Liwonde-Msipe Road in the Southern Region.
Additionally, Kumwembe says the government would like to rehabilitate the M1 Road from the Kamuzu International Airport turn-off to the Mzimba turn-off and Kacheche-Chiweta, with funding from the European Investment Bank and the European Union.
He observes that climate-related shocks have increasingly disrupted trade connectivity and socio-economic activities, largely due to the recurrence of Tropical cyclones such as Idai and Freddy.
“In response, the sector has adopted a proactive approach to mitigate and prevent climate-related impacts while racing the building Back Better principle to ensure more resilient and sustainable infrastructure development,” he says.
He says to ensure the successful implementation of the project, the ministry intends to, among other things, ensure inclusion of climate resilient issues in sector strategic documents, develop guidelines for the road sector to ensure its resilience to climate change, set up a research unit at the Roads Authority and review and update manuals for designing roads.
On revitalising shipping and railway transport on Lake Malawi, Kumwembe says the government has adopted a holistic approach to modernise all ports and vessels while also promoting effective administrative structures that foster the growth of water transport.
He says the government would like to resuscitate the Malawi Lake Services Limited as a primary administrative authority to lead the efforts. Malawi recently terminated its shipping and ports concession agreement with Portuguese conglomerate Mota-Engil.
“Additionally, the ministry is progressing with the establishment of the Rail and Marine Regulatory Authority of Malawi to strengthen the oversight and regulation of the rail and marine subsectors,” he says.
Meanwhile, Kumwembe says negotiations are underway between the Government and the National Bank of Malawi to enter into a partnership agreement to operate shipping services on Lake Malawi.
“Once both sides reach a consensus on the agreement’s framework, official communication will be made outlining the partnership’s scope and operational plans,” says Kumwembe, adding that he was optimistic of a positive outcome from the negotiations.
On air transport, Kumwembe says the government is rehabilitating Mzuzu Airport to restore air services in northern Malawi, adding that it has engaged a consultant to conduct feasibility studies and preliminary design work for a new airport in the northern city.
The new airport project is expected to be funded by BADEA and OPEC.
He further disclosed that the government also intends to conduct feasibility studies in the resort District of Mangochi to assess the viability and determine a suitable location for an airport in the District.
Kumwembe says Malawi continues its partnership with Ethiopian Airlines for long-term sustainability and also plans to expand the fleet and introduce new routes to position Malawi as a regional aviation hub.
He disclosed that resource mobilisation for the implementation of the TAZARA railway project connecting northern Malawi was on course, adding that procurement of feasibility studies is expected to be completed within the current financial year, and that the African Development Bank was willing to support it with funds.
Kumwembe says one of the challenges facing the transport sector was the continued deterioration of transport infrastructure at a time when demand for the same was increasing.
“This mismatch places significant pressure on the existing systems and constrains the ministry’s ability to deliver efficient, reliable and sustainable public services,” he says.
He observes that the challenge was compounded by limited public finance for investment, limited public-sector participation, critical human resource inadequacies, the effects of climate change, and vandalism of transport infrastructure.
He, however, says: “I wish to reaffirm the government’s commitment to transforming Malawi’s transport sector into a modern, integrated and resilient system that supports economic growth and improves the livelihoods of people.”
Kumwembe says the ministry is working closely with various stakeholders, cooperating partners, and the private sector to meet the nation’s transport aspirations and advance Malawi’s development agenda.
Former Vice President Khumbo Hastings Kachali says he is looking forward to the commencement of the construction of Mombera University, apart from several stalled road construction projects.
President Arthur Peter Mutharika recently appointed his Second Vice President, Enock Kamzingeni Chihana, to champion the development of the Mombera project after it had halted for about 7 years.
Kachali then says he hopes that contractors will resume road construction works before the rainy season.
Kachali previously served as Minister of Transport and Public Works.
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