Minister Mhango being briefed on the rehabilitation plan
* It will involve recycling the existing road surface, constructing pavement layers and a cement-stabilised sub-base
* Improving drainage systems, replacing damaged Armco culverts with concrete culverts and installing modern road signs and markings
* For the past five years or so, the road’s rehabilitation and maintenance was abandoned—Minister Jappie Mhango
* If a road cannot be maintained for three years, by the time you come back, that road will require rehabilitation, because it will have suffered so much damage
By Manasse Nyirenda & George Mponda, Malawi News Agency (MANA)
When handing over rehabilitation works of Chiweta–Karonga M001 Road on Monday, Minister of Transport & Public Works, Jappie Mhango indicated that solid funding mechanisms have been put in place to ensure that the heavily damaged 105km stretch and other roads currently under rehabilitation are completed within agreed timeframes.
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Addressing media at Chiweta in Rumphi last week, the Minister said, while funding has been a challenge for government-funded projects for some time, President Arthur Peter Mutharika personally engaged a number of local financial services institutions to come up with financing modalities that would benefit the country and the financiers as well.
“The President himself has been meeting various banks,” he said. “FDH Bank, National Bank, Standard Bank, NICO Group, Old mutual — all of them met the President to assure him that they have excess liquidity that government can use to rehabilitate our damaged roads.
“The loans will come with low interests and government will be paying back through fuel automatic pricing mechanism levies.”
He indicated that the Chiweta-Karonga stretch will be financed by Standard Bank while other financiers are also waiting on the wings.
State of the stretch as captured by truck drivers
“I am confident that in the next three to four years our roads network will be transformed,” said Mhango, adding that apart from economic benefits for businesses, locals will also benefit through employment opportunities once completed.
The project has been divided into two lots covering the combined distance of approximately 105km — with Lot 1 being 53km stretch from Chiweta–Wovwe Bridge section expected to commence on November 15, 2026 by Uniq Construction Company.
Lot 2, covering the 52km from Wovwe Bridge–Karonga section (Lot 2) commenced on Monday, November 2, 2026 by China Civil Engineering.
The Minister said each lot has been awarded at a cost of K260.9 billion, with both projects expected to take 24 months to complete.
He added that the rehabilitation works would involve recycling the existing road surface, constructing pavement layers and a cement-stabilised sub-base, improving drainage systems, replacing damaged Armco culverts with concrete culverts and installing modern road signs and markings.
Mhango assured Malawians that the road would be constructed to exceptionally high standards, describing it as one of its kind in the country, adding that government was committed to delivering durable infrastructure that would withstand the test of time.
“We want to deliver a road of a very high standard, one that will be among the best roads in Malawi,” he said.
“This is not just about rehabilitating a road; it is about investing in infrastructure that will support economic growth, improve connectivity and serve generations of Malawians.”
He highlighted that the project was in line with MW2063 national agenda, which envisions a world-class road network connecting rural and urban communities to local, national and international markets.
The road connects Chiweta in Rumphi to Karonga and up to the Songwe Border Post with the United Republic of Tanzania and Roads Authority Chief Executive Officer, Eng. Joel Longwe said it has been designed to be climate-resilient and capable of withstanding the test of time.
Paramount Chief Kyungu XXIV
Present was Paramount Chief Kyungu XXIV, who urged contractors to ensure quality and deliver a durable road network.
Kyungu called on contractors to embrace patriotism and prioritise quality as well as to prioritise on employing people from the district so that local communities to reduce the high levels of unemployment.” he said.
The Paramount Chief described the road as a lifeline for Malawi and particularly the people of Karonga, who depend on it for their social and economic activities.
It is critical to the movement of people and goods and that its rehabilitation would improve connectivity, facilitate trade, reduce transport costs and open up economic opportunities for communities along the corridor.
Kyungu thus warned residents against stealing construction materials and vandalising project equipment, urging communities to protect the infrastructure investment.
He also called on the police to remain vigilant and take action against anyone found interfering with construction activities.
Representing Karonga civil society organisations, Christobel Munthali described the rehabilitation project as an important investment that would address longstanding road challenges and improve the welfare of communities in the district and beyond.
Munthali called for transparency, accountability and proper monitoring of the project to ensure that the contractors deliver quality work within the stipulated timeframe, while urging communities to cooperate with the contractors to facilitate smooth implementation.
Upon completion, the road is expected to reduce travel time and vehicle operating and maintenance costs, improve road safety, create employment opportunities and enhance access to essential social and economic services.
The project will incorporate two toll gates to provide a sustainable source of funding for the future maintenance of the road.
A weighbridge will also be installed to monitor vehicle loads and guard against overloading, which is one of the major threats to road durability.
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Key construction features include:
* Stronger pavement structure: it will have a 150mm cement-stabilised sub-base, a 200mm emulsion-treated base, a 60mm asphalt concrete binder course and a 40mm asphalt concrete wearing course. These layers are designed to provide a strong foundation and durable riding surface;
* Improved drainage infrastructure: existing culverts will be replaced with concrete box culverts and pipe culverts to improve water passage and drainage, helping to protect the road against water-related damage;
* Wider and safer road sections: the rehabilitated road will have a 6.8-metre carriageway, complemented by 1.5-metre sealed shoulders on either side, improving road safety and providing additional support to the pavement structure; and
* Improved road safety features: signs and markings.
Mhango when he inspected the road a fortnight ago
Minister Mhango highlighted that the road has deteriorated after years of neglect: “For the past five years or so, the road’s rehabilitation and maintenance was abandoned.
“If a road cannot be maintained for three years, by the time you come back, that road will require rehabilitation, because it will have suffered so much damage.
He also said the government is rehabilitating the M1 in phases and assured that the entire stretch from Nsanje to Karonga will be completed in the next three years.
“We believe that once this is completed, joined with the Lilongwe-Chiweta section and then the southbound section, we should have a completely rehabilitated M1 road.” he said.
Eng. Joel Longwe assured Malawians that the project would be completed within the agreed 24-month period, adding that it will be designed to be climate-resilient and capable of withstanding the test of time.
“In terms of durability, this is one of the strong roads, we will stabilise the sub-base with cement, and on top of that, we will add a 50mm asphalt concrete.” he said.
Longwe further said the Roads Authority would temporarily fill potholes to ease motorists’ movement while reconstruction works are underway.—Editing and additional reporting by Duncan Mlanjira; Maravi Express
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