Malawi Roads Authority Proposes K245.78 Billion Road Rehabilitation Plan
The Roads Authority has outlined a K245.78 billion programme for road rehabilitation and maintenance. The plan targets two major corridors and has prompted discussion over costs and procurement.
thesouthafrican.comThe Roads Authority has proposed a K245.78 billion road rehabilitation and maintenance programme covering two major transport corridors. The largest share, K149.47 billion, is allocated to upgrading the Golomoti-Chantulo section of the M10 Road to bitumen standard.
Two contracts are planned: one valued at K74.05 billion and another at K75.41 billion. The remaining K96.31 billion is earmarked for periodic maintenance on the M1 Road between Bunda Turn-off and Kameza Roundabout, including pothole patching and drainage work.
A notification of intention to award contracts was issued on May 27, 2026. The maintenance contracts are expected to be awarded to two joint ventures valued at K51.6 billion and K44.7 billion.
Governance experts have questioned whether the proposed spending delivers value for money, citing earlier road projects that developed defects soon after completion. One example referenced is the Karonga-Songwe Road, completed in 2019 at a reported cost of K24.7 billion.
A second case cited is the 102-kilometre Karonga-Chitipa Road, which reportedly sustained damage within a month of its 2013 opening.
The Transporters Association of Malawi has welcomed the investment, noting that poor road conditions raise vehicle operating costs. A spokesperson called for attention to quality control and contractor monitoring. The Malawi Engineering Institution stated that rising global prices for fuel and bitumen partly explain the project costs.
