The construction of Mombera University project is expected to start in July, but the flagship higher education project is facing a K303 billion funding gap for completion of its first phase, it has emerged.
The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology told the Parliamentary Committee on Government Assurances and Public Reforms on Wednesday that only K14 billion has been allocated in the 2026/27 budget against the K317 billion needed to complete phase one of the Mzimba-based university.
The ministry’s Principal Secretary for Administration Thokozire Banda said procurement of a contractor is awaiting approval from the Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Authority (PPDA).
She said the first phase alone requires K117 billion to start works.
The phase includes construction of the school of animal sciences, administration block, two student hostels, 30 staff houses, a cafeteria, sports facilities, a clinic and a waste management system.
Banda said government is banking on private sector financing through the Public-Private Partnership Commission to bridge the funding gap.
Weighing in, director of planning in the ministry Edwin Kanyoma said Treasury has pledged to mobilise additional financing once construction starts.
Said Kanyoma: “If you look at the budget statement presented by the Minister of Finance, there was a commitment that other means of financing, including bonds, will be used to finance Mombera University.
“So we are very hopeful, and what is critical is that we should have contractors on site. If there are any shortages, Treasury should be able to supplement the required resources for Mombera University.”
But members of Parliament questioned the viability of the rollout under the current allocation.
Committee vice chairperson Juliana Kaduya described the K14 billion allocation as inadequate.
“We have had questions around the allocation made, considering that K14 billion seems to be on the lower side. We wanted to know how they intend to work around this figure within the phases they outlined. We hope they will secure more resources for the construction of the university,” she said.
Meanwhile, Civil Society Education Coalition executive director Benedicto Kondowe has said Malawians want to see implementation, not more promises.
In an interview, he said Malawi’s growing demand for university education requires serious investment, not perpetual postponement.
“What matters now is not further announcements, but visible implementation, transparent procurement and sustained financing. Government must move with urgency and consistency to ensure the project is delivered within realistic timelines and without further setbacks,” said Kondowe.
Second Vice-President Enock Chihana’s spokesperson Davie Gadama asked for more time before commenting on progress made on the project assigned to the Second Vice-President to oversee.
The project, conceived by former president Bingu wa Mutharika, was launched in 2015 under the administration of Peter Mutharika but stalled in 2018 after construction of access roads.
The Tonse Alliance administration allocated K5 billion in the 2023/24 Budget to revive the project, followed by K500 million in 2024/25 and K2 billion in 2025/26 Budget.
Once completed, the university will focus on animal sciences, veterinary medicine and mining.
Kanyoma said K31 billion has been allocated to the programme this financial year, with K10.6 billion already disbursed, but schools are grappling with shortages of classrooms, laboratories, furniture and teachers, particularly in science subjects.
