Second Vice-President Enoch Chihana says government has completed developing modern designs for Mzimba-based Mombera University student hostels and an additional school of mining and geology.
In December 2025, the Second Veep instructed the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology to work with the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development to develop the new designs and have them ready by January 20 2026.
Office of the Second Vice-President press officer Dave Gadama on Saturday said the Department of Buildings and project contractors DEC Construction and Paramount Holdings have been working on three designs, which are under consideration for approval by a ministerial committee.
He also said schools for the university were increased to include geology and mining as well as a high-technology centre.
“The designs that were there were done in 2015 during the first term of President Peter Mutharika and things have been changing. The Second Vice-President wanted to see modernised designs in line with President Mutharika’s vision. He wanted an improved ambience and futuristic design.
“The old designs of the hostels, for example, involved use of heavy concrete aesthetics. The new designs are sleek, minimalistic and aesthetic. The Second Vice-President wanted to see fresh design character, colour strategy, facade treatment, materials, form and massing as well as the overall impression,” he said.
Public-Private Partnership Commission (PPPC) chief executive officer Patrick Kabambe said in a written response yesterday that they are waiting for directions on areas of investment for a PPP.
“The Office of the Second Vice -President and other stakeholders have been finalising designs and plans for the university. They are also working on different financing options to get the work started.
“As of now, the PPPC is waiting for instructions on the specific areas to seek private investors in a PPP arrangement so that we can start the required processes,” he said.
One of the potential investors, Nico Holdings plc confirmed having been approached by government to take part in the project through a PPP arrangement.
Nico Capital Limited chief executive officer Misheck Esau said in an interview yesterday that together with their property management company Eris Properties Limited, they engaged the overseer of the project and are still waiting for a formal response regarding the next steps.
According to the Public Sector Investment Plan, government has allocated K14 billion for the project in the 2026/27 financial year.
The university project was initially launched in 2015 during Mutharika’s first term, but stalled in 2018 after the construction of access roads.
