By Denis Mzembe
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The Construction Industry Regulatory Authority (CIRA) has called upon stakeholders in the industry to fully strengthen professionalism and ethical conduct, embrace transparency and digital engagement, and partner with the Authority to build a modern, competitive and resilient construction industry.
The call was made through a communique delivered by CIRAs Chief Executive Officer, Engineer Gerald Khonje on this week Wednesday.
The communiqué provides the 2026 high-level directives and outlines mandatory non-negotiable requirements, and sets out the enforcement posture that will govern CIRA’s engagement with all stakeholders.
| In a strong worded statement addressed to, among others, contractors, consultants, material manufacturers and suppliers, professional boards and associations and development partners, Cira says it will lead the construction sector through three integrated roles. They include regulation, promotion and development. In line with the Act, CIRA will regulate standards, compliance and protection of the public interest and register and license firms intending to operate in the construction industry. It will also prescribe standards for the construction industry, including safety and health standards. Cira will also investigate violations and impose administrative penalties, issue stop orders, and take remedial action where necessary. According to the communique, CIRA will drive predictable regulation that improves investor confidence, reduces disputes, and advances local participation through, among other things, enforcement of licensing categories, thresholds, and scope of practice and strengthening requirements on foreign firm participation, joint ventures, subcontracting, and use of licensed entities. CIRA will also champion sector development through structured programs aligned to national priorities including Construction Industry Development Program (CIDP) initiatives and capacity-building interventions embedded within projects. Research and innovation partnerships across academia, industry, and development partners will also be championed |
CIRA was established under the Construction Industry of 2025 to regulate, promote and develop the construction industry in Malawi. CIRA’s mandate is national in scope and binds Government and all public authorities as well as private entities.
“2026 is an execution year. Our collective focus must combine awareness and measurable compliance, better project outcomes, and higher industry performance,” says Eng. Khonje in the communique.
The communique states out that no firm shall operate without registration and a valid license under the Act and clients shall not engage unlicensed firms. “Engagement of unlicensed firms is prohibited”.
“A license is firm-specific and non-transferable. Allowing another firm to use your license attracts administrative penalties. Annual renewal is compulsory and operating on an expired license attracts administrative penalties,” according to the communique.
It adds that all stakeholders shall comply with construction standards prescribed and enforced under the Act.
According to Eng. Khonje, the communique urges mandatory adoption and utilization of Construction Cost Indices as the authoritative benchmark for budget realism, bid evaluation reasonableness, and variation assessment.
Contractors, consultants, suppliers, and clients shall comply with applicable joint venture and subcontracting requirements, including incorporation of tender documents and procurement plans, evaluation criteria, contract conditions, and project execution arrangements.
CIRA will assess compliance through licensing conditions, project registration checks, inspections and audits.
“CIRA will regulate with firmness, fairness and predictability. Non-compliance will attract decisive action.
Operating without a license and other offences fall under Offences and Penalties. CIRA will pursue enforcement in collaboration with relevant institutions, including prosecution where applicable. Compliance is not negotiable. It is a legal obligation and the foundation for safe, durable and value-for-money infrastructure,” Eng. Khonje outlines.
CIRA will also, among other things, impose a levy on firms or classes of firms and on clients by order published in the Gazette.
“Levy is a statutory obligation. Firms and clients shall pay applicable fees and levies as required. Failure to pay attracts recovery measures, interest, and administrative penalties, and may result in license enforcement action,” according to the communique.
Various other issues including Infrastructure Asset Audit/Survey and Maintenance Alignment will be addressed.
“All Ministries, Departments and Agencies, Local Authorities, Statutory Corporations, and major asset-holding institutions shall conduct Infrastructure Asset Audits/Surveys to establish, an inventory of national infrastructure assets, asset condition and risk rating, and prioritized maintenance and rehabilitation plans.
Asset inventory and maintenance planning must align to the National Infrastructure Maintenance Strategy and be integrated into annual budgeting and public investment planning.
CIRA’s mandate is clear. Eng. Khonje says in the communique.
“It is to regulate, promote and develop the construction industry for the benefit of Malawi. The built environment must be safe, durable, resilient, and delivered with integrity.
“Accordingly, I call upon every stakeholder to comply fully and immediately with the non-negotiable requirements set out herein, strengthen professionalism and ethical conduct, embrace transparency and digital engagement, and partner with CIRA to build a modern, competitive and resilient construction industry,” reiterates Eng. Khonje.
