Tag Archives: Malawi Development

Development

From Glory to Neglect: Mzuzu Airport’s Decline Since Kamuzu Banda’s Era

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By Burnett Munthali

Once a symbol of progress and national pride, Mzuzu Airport in northern Malawi has fallen from its former glory. During the era of President Hastings Kamuzu Banda, the airport was a bustling hub, representing a time of growth and optimism for the country. Today, however, it stands in a state of disrepair and neglect, described colloquially as “poyanikila mphale azimayi,” or “a place where old women hang out their clothes,” reflecting the profound degradation it has undergone.

A historical overview- In the Kamuzu Banda days, Mzuzu Airport was a vital part of Malawi’s infrastructure, serving not only as a gateway to the northern region but also as a testament to the nation’s development aspirations. It was a well-maintained facility that facilitated economic activity and regional connectivity, contributing to the growth of Mzuzu and its surrounding areas.

The decline- As years passed, the airport’s condition deteriorated. The once-proud infrastructure has become a symbol of the broader decay affecting many public services and facilities in Malawi. The lack of maintenance, funding, and investment has left the airport with outdated facilities, crumbling infrastructure, and minimal operational capacity.

Factors contributing to the decline include:

Firstly, persistent economic challenges and mismanagement have diverted funds away from essential services, including airport maintenance and upgrades. Corruption and inefficiencies in the allocation of resources have exacerbated the problem.

Secondly, the neglect of infrastructure projects has resulted in a lack of modernization and repairs. With no significant investment in upgrades, the airport has fallen behind in meeting current aviation standards and passenger expectations.

Thirdly, Political instability and shifting priorities have led to inconsistent policies and a lack of focus on regional infrastructure development. The airport, once a priority, has become a victim of broader governance issues.

Today, Mzuzu Airport’s dilapidated state is more than just an eyesore; it affects the region’s connectivity and economic potential. The limited capacity and poor condition of the airport hinder trade, tourism, and investment, impacting local businesses and the broader economic landscape.

The decline of Mzuzu Airport serves as a stark reminder of the broader issues facing Malawi’s infrastructure. It underscores the need for renewed investment and a strategic approach to maintaining and developing critical national assets. Addressing the airport’s condition requires a concerted effort from both the government and private sector to restore its former significance and functionality.

Conclusion

The transformation of Mzuzu Airport from a symbol of progress to a neglected relic reflects broader challenges facing Malawi’s infrastructure and governance. As the country looks to the future, the revival of such essential facilities will be crucial in restoring economic vitality and national pride. The story of Mzuzu Airport is not just about a single facility’s decline but a reflection of the need for comprehensive and sustained efforts to address the legacy of neglect and mismanagement.

Development

African Development Bank prioritizes energy, transport, water and agriculture in Malawi

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The Bank will continue to deepen its engagement with Malawi to further consolidate development impacts as envisioned in “Malawi Vision 2063

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast, November 30, 2023/ — The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group (www.AfDB.org) approved the Country Strategy Paper (CSP) 2023-2028 for Malawi on 16 November 2023. The strategy focuses on two priority areas: improving economic infrastructure to develop the industrial sector by investing in energy, transport, water, sanitation, and hygiene, and supporting economic diversification through investments in agriculture value chains.

“The primary objective of the CSP 2023-2028 is to promote inclusive and sustainable growth through agro-industrialization, improving connectivity and strengthening competitiveness,” said Leila Farah Mokaddem, Director General of the African Development Bank’s Southern Africa Hub. “The Bank will continue to deepen its engagement with Malawi to further consolidate development impacts as envisioned in “Malawi Vision 2063.”

Macmillan Anyanwu, the Bank’s Country Manager for Malawi explained: “The Bank plans to increase its funding in the transport sector to improve national and regional connectivity and access to input and output markets for economic actors, especially farmers, reduce transport costs and to strengthen regional integration. The Bank will also support efforts to build resilience to climate change by using eco-smart technologies and materials in road projects and sustainable road maintenance.” At the completion of the projects proposed in this sector, around 350,000 additional people will have access to improved road networks.

The Bank’s interventions in the energy sector will support the country’s efforts to expand access to power through grid and off-grid power systems, and to reduce blackouts and the cost of electricity. Additionally, the Bank will assist Malawi in connecting to regional energy hubs to improve energy security and access to more affordable electricity by about 35%, as well as increased private sector power generation capacity.

For the second priority area, support from the Bank will contribute to developing agrobusiness through complementary actions to improve productivity, strengthen the development of priority value chains, especially the manufacturing sector, and support economic diversification and the agriculture sector reforms. To achieve this, the African Development Bank’s interventions will focus on integrated investment, including increasing the area of irrigated land, adopting better agricultural technologies, such as mechanization, diversifying crops and food systems, and value addition through agro-processing.

As of September 2023, the African Development Bank Group’s active portfolio in Malawi comprised 18 projects, with total commitments of USD 222.7 million.


Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

Malawi

Shire Valley Transformation Programme hosted partners from the World Bank

Maravi Post Reporter
Malawi
tour to the construction site was conducted involving the delegation from the World Bank, the CEO of the Public-Private Partnership Commission, the District Commissioner, and the Department of Irrigation. World Bank Country Manager for Malawi, Mr. Hugh Riddell also participated in the tour.

Submitted by Lodzeni

The Shire Valley Transformation Programme is hosting a World Bank mission. This is the first physical visit by the Bank to the project since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

A tour to the construction site was conducted involving the delegation from the World Bank, the CEO of the Public-Private Partnership Commission, the District Commissioner, and the Department of Irrigation. World Bank Country Manager for Malawi, Mr. Hugh Riddell also participated in the tour.

Speaking during the site tour, Mr. Riddell expressed satisfaction with the progress being made in the construction of the scheme despite challenges with COVID-19.

“The Bank has a new Country Partnership Framework for Malawi which has been aligned to Malawi Vision 2063. Some of the key focus areas in MW2063 are agriculture commercialization and value addition which the SVTP will make a huge contribution. As the World Bank, we will continue to support Malawi in its development efforts,” he said.

The mission also conducted a learning tour to Phata Cooperative in T/A Maseya, Chikwawa where smallholder farmers are practicing commercial farming using the agri-business model. This is one of the farming models being championed by the Shire Valley Transformation in its agriculture commercialization drive. Phata Cooperative was established in 2011. It has 1110 smallholder farmers growing sugarcane on a total land size of 618 hectares. The cooperative partnered with Agricane as the technical and administrative partner.

originally posted on Nyasatimes

Development, Lifestyle

Malawi’s Foreign Affairs Minister Emmanuel Fabiano says Regional Intergration is pathway to development

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Fabiano
Minister of Foreign Affairs and International cooperation, Emmanuel Fabiano

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International cooperation, Emmanuel Fabiano says Regional Intergration is one of the building blocks of development and can transform the economy of Malawi if embraced fully.

“Regional Integration implies the removal of barriers to trade and movement of people within the African Region, thus benefiting the economy and increasing the well-being of Malawian citizens and the rest of the member states”, said Hon. Fabiano. He added that trade between members has arguably been the single most important factor contributing to the creation of jobs and increasing the standards of living in the African Region. Continue reading Malawi’s Foreign Affairs Minister Emmanuel Fabiano says Regional Intergration is pathway to development →

Business

Chinese investor Building a business park to include a new $25 million hotel in Blantyre

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Malawi - China Project
Malawi President Peter Mutharika (left) being briefed about the project in Blantyre, Malawi on Dec 19. Moses Michael-Phiri / For China Daily

Malawi city project includes $25 million hotel aimed at attracting conference and other business

A Chinese investor is putting up a business park to include a new $25 million hotel in Blantyre, the commercial capital of Malawi.

The investor is betting that the Sogecoa Business Park, which will include a five-star hotel, a recreation center with a and a shopping mall and cinema, will revive the city as a regional trade hub.

According to Xia Fang, vice-president of Anhui Foreign Economic Construction (Group) Co, the project, scheduled for completion in December, will make Blantyre a bigger year-round attraction for conference tourism, commercial business and family entertainment.

He says the company plans to invest $75 million in another business park and a shopping center in Lilongwe, the country’s capital.

“Malawi is a true friend of China and has for the past 10 years offered us a good environment to invest. We are ready to invest more in this peaceful country, known as the Warm Heart of Africa,” says Xia. Continue reading Chinese investor Building a business park to include a new $25 million hotel in Blantyre →

Opinion

Z Allan Ntata’s Uncommon Sense –What every Malawian needs to know

Maravi Post correspondent

 

Malawi Nusiness Environment
A typical Business in Malawi has to pay 26 taxes, consuming a total time of 175 Hours to fully prepare and pay taxes. The Total tax rate on businesses in Malawi is 34.7 (% of commercial profits), being the #144 highest business tax rate in the world. The Total tax rate is the sum of the following taxes:

Whether we owe it to our collective gullibility or forgetfulness as a people and as a nation, or simply to a sense of helplessness and hopelessness regarding our plight, the truth of the matter is that one politician after another has taken us for a ride year after year promising development and delivering nothing but retrogression. Continue reading Z Allan Ntata’s Uncommon Sense –What every Malawian needs to know →

Business

Construction of Zomba Community Stadium starts next week

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Mulanje Stadium: Another newly constructed Stadium – File Photo

MANA. Zomba, May 28, 2017: The construction on Zomba Community Stadium is expected to start this week. This follows the signing ceremony of a contract between Zomba City Council and DEC Construction.
According to Principal Secretary for the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, Kiswell Dakamau, who presided over the ceremony, the project will comprise construction of VIP Stands, renovation of the monument hall, car park, and ground leveling works, among other things.
Dakamau urged the contractor to construct a modern facility that will stand the test of time, and also match the status of Zomba City. He added that government is not pleased with construction works of some contractors who deliver substandard services after being awarded contracts.

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Continue reading Construction of Zomba Community Stadium starts next week →

Lifestyle, Top News

Malawi President Mutharika sees roadworks as a way to development and prosperity

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Mutharika and Chilima
President Peter Mutharika and Vice Saulos Chilima

LILONGWE: President Prof. Peter Mutharika says his government will take upgrading of roads to all districts after upgrading roads in the country’s cities and towns.

The Malawi President who sees this as part of the way to prosperity said this on Friday when he toured three road projects in Lilongwe’s locations of Senti, Chilinde and Area 36. Continue reading Malawi President Mutharika sees roadworks as a way to development and prosperity →

Business, Top News

Mutharika Government adamant on economic recovery through IMP in Malawi

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Malawi Minister of Irrigation
Graziano da Silva met with Malawi’s Minister for Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development, Allan James Chiyembekeza, during the regional conference for Africa.

Although a quarter of a million people have been affected by the devastating flood that ripped through Malawi, government is optimistic to recovering economy through Irrigation Master Plan and Investment Framework.

Director of Irrigation Services Geoffrey Mamba has reiterated that the country’s ailing economy will soon be on track, the call was made during presentation of National Irrigation Master Plan (IMP) report in Lilongwe on Friday. Continue reading Mutharika Government adamant on economic recovery through IMP in Malawi →

Technology

Malawi: ICT key to uplifting youth unemployment

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Innovation
Malawi Innovation

Karonga, June 3: Simtech, an Information Communication Technology (ICT) organization in Malawi, says computer courses among the youths are key tools in the fight against unemployment in the country.

The organization, which started working in the country last year (2015), has trained over 48 youths in computer repairing and general computer knowledge in Mangochi, Chikwawa, Balaka and Mzuzu. Continue reading Malawi: ICT key to uplifting youth unemployment →