There has been tremendous progress in the entire major road project, which the Ministry is implementing across the country in the 2023-24 financial year.
One of the major projects include the northbound section of the M1 road being implemented in four Lots running co-currently under four different contractors.
The total distance of road under construction on this section of M1 is 307 kilometres with lot 1, 2, and 3 going back to back from Kia Turn Off to Mzimba Turn off in Mzimba and the fourth Lot stretching from Kacheche in Mzimba to Chiweta in Rumphi.
The project is getting finances from Government of Malawi (GoM) and the European Union (EU) through the European Investment Bank (EIB)
As of February 2025 physical progress of Lot 1, stretch of 102 from KIA – Kasungu is at 42% against 89%-time progress.
In aggregate 30kms has been surfaced and these sections have opened to traffic between Mtengowanthenga and Mtiti bridge.
The progress report for February further shows that on Lot 2 from Kasungu – Jenda a stretch of 86Kms has accumulated physical progress of 46% against 67% time progress.
Physical Progress for Lot 3 of M1 from Jenda to Mzimba Turn Off, a stretch of 46km is at 32% against 78%-time progress as of February 2025 of which 10kms has been surfaced and opened to traffic.
Finally, on this north bound M1 Lot 4, Kacheche to Chiweta a stretch of 67km has reported a progress of 28% against 59% time progress.
Apart from enhancing the country’s economic growth through the easing of travel along the northern corridor, which connects Malawi to east Africa Markets and beyond, the project is also a major job creator for the communities across the stretch.
In the first two years of implementation, progress slowed because of many issues including delayed relocation of utility services and project affected people and failure by contractors to meet financier’s obligations especially on environment requirements.
However, with all the challenges addressed progress will hit the highest-level once major earthwork resume and the close of this rainy season around April or May.