CEO Chimkango (above) addressing the stakeholders at the consultative meeting
* To be developed into a modern commercial and mixed-use precinct in a move aimed at reshaping a key part of the capital city’s urban landscape
By Adson Nthenga, Malawi News Agency (MANA)
One of Lilongwe’s oldest residential estates could soon undergo a dramatic transformation as Malawi Housing Corporation (MHC) unveiled plans to redevelop the Area 1 Staff Quarters Estate, popularly known as Malangalanga, into a modern commercial and mixed-use precinct in a move aimed at reshaping a key part of the capital city’s urban landscape.
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The proposal was presented on Friday during a stakeholders’ meeting held at Crossroads Hotel in Lilongwe, where plot owners, Members of Parliament, councillors and government officials from relevant departments met to deliberate on the future of the estate.
MHC Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Bob Chimkango said the corporation had deliberately chosen to engage stakeholders before implementation, recognising that the redevelopment would only succeed through collaboration with people who own land within the proposed project area.
He said the estate, which covers approximately five hectares, formerly had about 150 properties, but following demolitions and property sales, MHC now owns 102 houses, making cooperation with other landowners essential to achieving the scale of development envisaged.
“This is why we thought we should engage those who bought this land from us so that they should be part of the project,” Chinkango said.
“They should own this project because we are not doing it for Malawi Housing Corporation, but we are doing it for Malawians, for the people of Lilongwe and specifically for the people of Malangalanga.”
He added that the proposal seeks to consolidate land resources to unlock a development that individual property owners would struggle to undertake independently, adding that the project is designed to complement Lilongwe City Council’s development plan, which designates the area for commercial use with buildings of, at least, three storeys.
Chimkango said property owners would be offered several options, including compensation following property valuation, house swaps, equity participation in the project or using compensation to construct alternative houses elsewhere.
The proposal drew support from MP for Lilongwe City Chipala Nafisi Constituency, Kingsley Frank Chimwaza, who described Malangalanga as an important economic hub whose current state no longer reflected its strategic location in the capital city.
Speaking on behalf of residents and property owners, Chimwaza said they welcomed the proposed redevelopment and commended MHC for consulting stakeholders before implementation.
He said property owners would study the proposal further and provide collective feedback as consultations continue.
Lilongwe City Mayor, Councillor Alex Peter Banda also welcomed the planned investment but stressed that all developments must comply with the city’s master plan and statutory approval procedures.
“We are not against development — we are against lack of proper planning and construction without approval. Once they submit their plans for our review and approval, we will support them.”
Mayor Alex Peter Phiri
The Mayor added that Lilongwe City Council remained committed to supporting developments that are properly planned, approved and aligned with Lilongwe’s long-term urban development agenda.
A day before, MHC CEO and his management team had an engagement with Second Vice-President Enock Kanzingeni Chihana at his office in City Centre, Lilongwe to discuss accelerating affordable housing delivery.
MHC PR office reported that the discussion also centred on expanding housing financing options for Malawians, and leveraging public-private partnerships to address the housing deficit under MW2063.
The Second Vice-President reaffirmed government’s commitment to ensuring decent and affordable housing for all.
He encouraged the corporation to explore financing options both internationally and locally, and to come up with sustainable financing models which will ensure maximum land use while at the same time keeping up with its mandate to provide affordable and decent housing to Malawians.
MHC was established in 1964 with a mandate to provide affordable and decent houses to Malawians, and was later given the mandate to operate as a Commercial entity in 2016.
Chimkango outlined MHC’s ongoing and planned housing schemes, including dedicated housing projects for civil servants aimed at improving staff welfare and retention in public service.
He further unveiled that MHC is rolling out affordable housing models across urban and peri-urban areas to enable more Malawians to own decent homes through flexible financing options.
The MHC management also had an engagement with Minister of Lands, Housing & Urban Development, Chimwemwe Chipungu on Thursday, where the two institutions discussed strategies for advancing Malawi’s housing agenda.
Chipungu stated that modernising Malawi’s housing sector — through the integration of green spaces, improved urban planning and environmentally friendly infrastructure — is key to creating sustainable communities and improving the quality of life in the country’s growing towns and cities.
The Minister added that housing development should go beyond constructing houses to creating well-planned neighbourhoods that provide safe, healthy and attractive living environments.
He noted that incorporating parks, recreational areas and other green spaces into housing developments, alongside modern infrastructure and proper planning, will help build resilient and sustainable urban communities.
Drawing from experiences in countries such as Morocco, the Minister said Malawi can adopt innovative housing and urban planning approaches that balance infrastructure development with environmental sustainability.
“We must ensure that as our towns and cities continue to grow, they are planned in a way that promotes decent housing, protects the environment and enhances the well-being of our people,” Chipungu said.
CEO Chimkango welcomed the initiative, saying MHC remains committed to working with Government to deliver innovative housing solutions that respond to the country’s growing housing demand while promoting sustainable urban development.
He said strengthening collaboration between the Ministry and MHC will be critical in developing modern, inclusive and environmentally sustainable communities that contribute to Malawi’s socio-economic development.—Additional reporting by MHC PR office, editing by Duncan Mlanjira, Maravi Express
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