The government has rolled out a K39.6 billion nationwide road maintenance programme aimed at repairing Malawi’s deteriorating road network.
Transport and Public Works Minister Jappie Mhango, speaking at the launch in Lilongwe on Friday, said the initiative will run from April 2026 to March 2027 and will be financed through the fuel levy.
“Almost all the roads in the country are in bad shape because the previous government was not maintaining them. The Democratic Progressive Party government is committed to fixing the roads, and that is why we are launching these maintenance works,” Mhango said.
He urged contractors to deliver quality work within agreed timelines and warned that those found cutting corners would face consequences.
Roads Authority acting chief executive officer Joel Longwe said 88 contracts have been awarded nationwide, with durations ranging from 150 days to 12 months.
The scope of works includes pothole patching, road marking, accident spot improvements, road sign replacement, periodic maintenance of paved roads, replacement of timber and bailey bridges with concrete decks, drainage repairs, spot gravelling, embankment formation, concrete pads, lined drains, and emergency works.
Wasi Civil Engineering Company financial director Mustafa Hassan welcomed the programme, pledging timely completion but urging government to ensure prompt payment. “We are committed to finishing ahead of schedule. The only setback might be the fuel shortage. If fuel stabilises, we will deliver within the specified period,” he said.
The Roads Fund Administration (RFA) recently projected raising K250 billion from the road maintenance levy in the 2026/27 financial year to support road construction and maintenance.
Fuel levy remittances were disrupted in 2023 when government suspended the Automatic Pricing Mechanism to contain pump prices, depleting the Price Stabilisation Fund and halting payments to RFA. This led to arrears of about K1.29 trillion owed to fuel importers and K593 billion in unremitted levies to public institutions.
