By Chikondi Chimala
Minister of Transport and Public Works, Jappie Mhango, has outlined government’s plan to restructure Malawi’s road subsector, describing it as the backbone of the economy and a key enabler of trade, connectivity, and national development.
Speaking in Parliament last Thursday, Mhango said the government had undertaken a comprehensive reclassification of the national road network to ensure structured and balanced development while enhancing the role of district councils.
“This reform marks a significant milestone in modernizing how Malawi plans, manages, finances, and maintains its public road infrastructure. It aligns our road classification system with current economic realities, demographic growth, urban expansion, and evolving administrative responsibilities,” Mhango said.
He added that the review updated road names, corrected distances, and introduced a mechanism for periodic reassessment to ensure the system remains responsive to changing conditions.
Mhango said the reclassification was guided by a Multi-Criteria Analysis using the Roads Management System database.
“Roads were evaluated based on traffic volumes, population density, economic activity, administrative connectivity, and existing conditions. This objective and evidence-based approach ensures that roads are classified according to their functional importance and contribution to national development,” he said.
Under the new system, arterial roads will support high traffic flows and connect district headquarters, collector roads will link major population centres and economic hubs, local roads will provide access to communities and agricultural zones, and urban roads will cover city networks.
A structured route numbering system has been introduced to enhance clarity and uniformity. Main roads retain existing designations starting from M001, secondary roads are renumbered from S200, district roads begin at D1000, and community roads at C2000.
Mhango said the National Roads Authority will manage main and secondary roads, district assemblies will oversee district roads, city and municipal authorities will handle urban roads, and local councils will manage community roads. He added that the Roads Authority will retain responsibility for strategic arterial routes traversing urban areas.
“This coordinated framework strengthens accountability while preserving national standards and protecting strategic transport corridors that underpin economic activity and regional connectivity,” Mhango said.
Meanwhile, Registrar for the Malawi Engineering Institute (MEI), Engineer Arthur Wengawenga, said the institute welcomes the reclassification of the road network, describing it as a step towards structured and balanced development in the sector.
“We believe that this will address the challenges that we have grappled with in the past, particularly around investment prioritization where some road infrastructure was not getting the required priority at the expense of others. The onus is now on the responsible authorities to take timely action to bring to an end such challenges,” said Wengawenga.
He added that the institute is encouraged by the restoration of the smooth flow of fuel levies for road maintenance and construction, expressing optimism that adequate resources will continue to be mobilised.
On road maintenance, Mhango said the government, in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy, has reinstated the Automatic Pricing Mechanism to ensure predictable funding for road upkeep.
He said government will prioritise ongoing road projects in the 2026/27 financial year, including the M5 Kaphatenga-Benga-Dwangwa Road, M1 KIA Turn-off to Chiweta Road, Lilongwe City West Bypass, Rumphi–Nyika Road (Lot 2), Chikwawa–Bembe Section, Mtangatanga Junction–Eswazini–Mzalangwe–Kafukule Road in Mzimba, Chingale-Lirangwe Road, Mangochi-Makanjira Road, and Chimwaza-Nambuma Road.
Mhango added that the ministry is exploring alternative funding sources for transport infrastructure.
“We are motivating local financial institutions to venture into the transport sector. From the few consultations that we have had, this is already looking promising, and will be transformational,” he said.
