A K4 billion (about $12.1 million) five-storey hotel is under construction in Malawi’s capital, Lilongwe.
The owners are Mantino Limited, a Lilongwe-based real estate company with properties in Blantyre, Lilongwe and Mzuzu.
In an interview, one of the company’s directors, Wasim Kassam, said they are building the hotel to provide modern facilities to tourists.
Tourism is one of the priorities in the Economic Recovery Plan (ERP), a tool the Joyce Banda administration is using to resuscitate Malawi’s ailing economy.
“We hope the country is heading in the right direction; hence, our decision to build a state-of-the-art hotel in Lilongwe’s Old Town.
“There is growing demand for hotel accommodation in the capital city and ours will have modern facilities that will give tourists the comfort they need,” he said.
The hotel will have conference halls, executive offices, food court and shops, among other facilities.
“The project has already offered employment to 220 people and we hope by next January, we will be through and the hotel will be ready for occupation,” said Kassam.
Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Culture Rachel Zulu described the project as good news, saying it will encourage more tourists to visit the country.
“We are excited about the development because it shows that investors have confidence in this government.
“Once completed, many Malawians will get jobs. Besides, the hotel will ease accommodation challenges in the country, especially when we have international meetings,” said Zulu.
The new project will bring to seven the number of hotels in the city.
