By Pemphero Malimba:
The European Union (EU) has announced an additional grant of €20.4 million (approximately K40 billion) towards the M1 Road rehabilitation project, which is currently underway.
EU Ambassador to Malawi, Rune Skinnebach, revealed this during a press briefing held in Lilongwe yesterday.
The EU, the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the Government of Malawi are financing the rehabilitation of the M1 from Kamuzu International Airport junction in Lilongwe to Chiweta, covering a distance of 300.4 kilometres.
The EU and EIB initially committed a total of €140 million in grants and concessional loans towards the project, while the government of Malawi has committed €20 million towards the same.
Skinnebach said he expects all four phases of the project to be completed next year.
“Now I am relieved that three-quarters of the works are anticipated to be completed by the first quarter of 2026, with the final quarter within the same year,” he said.
The envoy added that the delay in completing the project had been due to, among other factors, changes in the design of the road.
“There have been issues with the initial design of the road and some issues with the management of the works. However, this is what always happens when you have large infrastructure projects.
“This is indeed the biggest EU-funded project in Malawi to date and one of the largest ongoing projects in the country, so delays had to be anticipated,” he said.
He commended the Malawi Government for demonstrating what he described as commitment to ensuring the successful implementation of the project.
“Not only has Malawi committed €20 million to the project to demonstrate ownership, but it is also engaged in the process to ensure that we complete the road to the benefit of all stakeholders,” Skinnebach said.
Roads Authority Chief Executive Officer, Ammiel Champiti, also commended the EU for its support.
Champiti said that the rehabilitation of the road is crucial to the country’s economy.
“Over 75 percent of the fuel comes through the M1 Road and we also have goods coming in through Dar es Salaam. Additionally, the majority of people conducting business use this corridor, making it an extremely important road, not to mention the agricultural products passing through Karonga and other districts,” he said.
He added that the amended road design would, among other things, help to reduce road accidents in trading centres along the road.
“These designs, which are planned to be implemented in trading centres, will minimise delays for motorists passing through these areas.
“It will also reduce the risk to pedestrians and other non-motorised traffic. This is one major change that will occur. It is a safety issue that has been incorporated into the design,” Champiti said.
Initially, the project was earmarked for completion in December 2024.
