Lilongwe: Navigating Developmental Challenges, Harnessing Potential in Malawi's Capital City

Abstract

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of Lilongwe, the capital city of Malawi, focusing on its population dynamics, infrastructure challenges, special needs populations, historical and cultural resources, and business landscape. Since assuming the role of capital in 1975, Lilongwe has experienced rapid urbanization, driven by governmental relocations and strategic positioning amidst agricultural lands. However, the city grapples with inadequate financial resources to address critical infrastructure needs, particularly in informal settlements characterized by high poverty and unemployment rates. Special attention is given to the plight of persons with disabilities, highlighting legislative protections and ongoing challenges such as interpreter shortages and attacks on people with albinism. Infrastructure deficiencies pose significant hurdles to Lilongwe's economic progress, exacerbated by vulnerabilities exposed by natural disasters. Preservation of historical and cultural landmarks, such as the Kamuzu Mausoleum and the National War Memorial Tower, is emphasized for safeguarding Malawi's cultural heritage. Furthermore, the report addresses challenges faced by businesses, particularly in the tobacco industry, underscoring the dependence on location and the need for resilient infrastructure. Collaborative efforts from government, civil society, and the private sector are deemed essential for Lilongwe to realize its potential as a thriving, inclusive, and resilient capital city prioritizing the well-being of its residents.

Keywords: Malawi, Lilongwe, Urban Center, Economy, Infrastructure, Environment and Disaster Risks

Lilongwe: Overview

Lilongwe is the capital city of Malawi, and is the municipality that shall be focused on in this report. . Lilongwe has a population of 1,637,583 (Malawi National Statistical Office, 2018). The capital and administrative hub of Malawi shifted to Lilongwe from Zomba in 1975, marking its ascent as the country's primary urban center, selected by Malawi’s first president in 1965 (Britannica, 2008). Since then, Lilongwe has experienced rapid urbanization, particularly fueled by the relocation of government offices from Blantyre in 2005. Divided into four sectors—Old Town, Capital Hill, Kanengo, and Lumbadzi—Lilongwe occupies a strategic position amidst vast agricultural lands, fostering numerous economic activities. However, despite its economic potential, the city grapples with inadequate financial resources to enact significant development schemes and furnish essential infrastructure and urban amenities necessary for sustained growth. Addressing these challenges demands enhanced governance, bolstered revenue collection, improved management capabilities, and a deeper understanding of the city's competitive advantages (United Nations Human Settlements Programme, 2011).

Special Needs Populations

Malawi's 2018 census revealed a significant statistic: 1,734,250 individuals with disabilities, comprising 11.6% of the population. The impact of Cyclone Freddy in 2023 was particularly severe, affecting over 260,000 people with disabilities (United Nations, 2023). In response, the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities convened to address the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The Disability Act of 2012 defines disability broadly as long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments (United Nations, 2023). However, there's a recognized need for deeper understanding and categorization of these disabilities beyond census data. Malawi has developed and continuously updates disability policies. The groundwork was laid in 1971 with the Handicapped Persons Act, leading to the establishment of MACOHA, a government agency dedicated to promoting the well-being of persons with disabilities.

The 2006 National Policy on Equalisation of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities signifies a shift, viewing disability as a human rights issue rather than a matter of charity or welfare. Its goal is the full integration of persons with disabilities into society, ensuring equal opportunities (United Nations, 2023). Subsequently, the Disability Act of 2012 was enacted, focusing on prohibiting discrimination based on disability and addressing scenarios such as denying access to educational institutions based on disability status. A critical concern raised was the shortage of sign language interpreters in the country. As of 2021, there were only 10 interpreters and 30 prospective ones, aiming for at least one interpreter per health facility nationwide. Also a major social concern was attacks against people with Albinism, with the Government of Malawi establishing a National Action plan on Persons with Albinism, making an effort to prosecute these cases.?

Malawi's commitment to addressing the needs and rights of persons with disabilities is evident through a series of legislative actions and policy frameworks. The significant proportion of the population affected underscores the importance of ongoing efforts to ensure inclusivity and equal opportunities. While strides have been made, challenges persist. Moving forward, continued collaboration and proactive measures are essential to foster a society where persons with disabilities are fully integrated and their rights are upheld without discrimination.

Infrastructure

The infrastructure in Malawi is mainly composed of roads, rail, air transport, water supply, sanitation, power, water resources, and information and communication technology. Although Malawi is a small country, it has been able to improve its infrastructure as a way to raise its overall GDP. However, these improvements have not come without their challenges. Malawi is heavily reliant on agriculture, which makes infrastructure a challenge when viewing the severe droughts. In Lilongwe, these shortages affect densely populated areas where over 66% of the urban population resides (Alda-Vidal, 2021). About 76% of residents in Lilongwe reside in informal settlements. 25% of residents live in poverty, and 16% of the urban population is unemployed, with 9% considered ultra poor (United Nations Human Settlements Programme, 2011). A destruction of vital infrastructure can cripple the country’s economy, and stunt their growth, as we saw in 2023 with Cyclone Freddy causing over 500 million dollars in damages, equivalent to over 3.5% of their total GDP (EM-DAT, 2024). Much of their infrastructure is vulnerable to climate shocks, since such a large portion of the population live in informal settlements, the thought of disaster-resistant housing is almost unfathomable, as they are still struggling to house their growing population.?

Historical and Cultural Resources

Two of the cultural and historic resources in the city of Lilongwe are the Kamuzu Mausoleum, and the National War Memorial Tower. The Kamuzu Mausoleum, located near the Malawian Parliament Building, serves as the final resting place of Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda, Malawi's first president. Completed in 2006, this marble and granite structure features four pillars representing Banda's core principles: Unity, Loyalty, Discipline, and Obedience. Visitors can explore the mausoleum and learn about Banda's life and legacy, with guides available at the entrance for assistance. Banda, often referred to as "The Lion," was born in 1898, ruled from 1961 to 1994, and passed away in 1997 at the age of 99. The mausoleum also houses a library and research center for tourists interested in delving deeper into Malawi's history and its founding father (MalawiPlus, 2022). The significance of the mausoleum is that it is a tribute to the foundations of their independence as a republic. It represents the core values of the country and is important in educating current and future generations of Malawians, as well as visitors, on what principles the country was founded on and how they can be applied in modern times. A loss of this resource would cause a loss in tourism revenue as well as a loss of an important cultural heritage and sense of identity within the Malawian people.

The National War Memorial Tower in Lilongwe, situated between Capital Hill and Area 18 Filling Station, stands as a tribute to the soldiers and civilians who lost their lives in the First and Second World Wars and various military operations. Adjacent to the tower is a statue commemorating Malawi's first president, Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda. Constructed within the same compound, the tower offers visitors a panoramic view of Lilongwe, making it one of the city's premier vantage points (MalawiPlus, 2022). This historical monument is important in highlighting the role of Malawi in World War I and II. Malawians’ current identity and culture is informed by the generations that came before them. Once again, a loss of this monument would result in a loss of national pride and cultural identity.

Businesseses

Lilongwe is the center for tobacco sales and processing. Other businesses include retail trade, construction, banking, tourism, transport, and public administration (United Nations Human Settlements Programme, 2011). Almost all of Lilongwe’s businesses are location-dependent, since they serve the people that live in the area. Agriculture especially, is bound to the place that it’s in, farms can’t be packed up and relocated in the same way that other commodities can, especially when farmers have invested into their existing land. The tobacco industry is a significant component of the municipality’s economy, and is the leader in their revenue from exports, which is especially important for a developing country to increase their GDP. Unfortunately, there is nowhere for these businesses to relocate to. Surrounding Lilongwe are a series of small towns and villages. The country already has so little in terms of financing and resources that the loss of a business site due to a natural disaster might be permanent. Besides Lilongwe, the only comparable large city is Blantyre. There just aren’t enough vacant buildings built in the country, the ones they do have are already being utilized.?

Conclusion

This report has provided an in-depth examination of Lilongwe, the capital city of Malawi, focusing on various aspects including its population dynamics, infrastructure challenges, special needs populations, historical and cultural resources, and the business landscape.

Lilongwe, with its significant population of over 1.6 million, has emerged as the primary urban center of Malawi since becoming the capital in 1975. Rapid urbanization, fueled in part by the relocation of government offices, has presented both opportunities and challenges for the city's development. Despite its strategic position amidst agricultural lands, Lilongwe grapples with inadequate financial resources to address crucial infrastructure needs, particularly in densely populated informal settlements where poverty and unemployment rates are high.

The paper also highlights the plight of special needs populations, with particular attention to persons with disabilities. While Malawi has made strides in enacting legislation and policies to protect their rights, challenges such as the shortage of sign language interpreters and attacks against people with albinism persist, underscoring the ongoing need for inclusive measures.

Infrastructure deficiencies pose significant obstacles to Lilongwe's economic growth, with vulnerabilities exposed by events such as Cyclone Freddy in 2023. Given the country's heavy reliance on agriculture and the vulnerability of informal settlements to climate shocks, enhancing infrastructure resilience is paramount to ensuring sustained development.

Furthermore, the rich historical and cultural resources of Lilongwe, exemplified by landmarks like the Kamuzu Mausoleum and the National War Memorial Tower, serve not only as tourist attractions but also as repositories of national pride and identity. Preservation of these sites is essential to safeguarding Malawi's cultural heritage for future generations.

Finally, the paper addresses the challenges faced by businesses in Lilongwe, particularly the tobacco industry, which plays a pivotal role in the city's economy. The dependence of businesses on location underscores the importance of safeguarding existing infrastructure and implementing measures to mitigate risks posed by natural disasters.

In conclusion, Lilongwe stands at a crossroads, grappling with pressing developmental challenges while also boasting significant potential for growth and prosperity. Addressing these challenges requires concerted efforts from government authorities, civil society, and the private sector, with a focus on inclusive policies, resilient infrastructure, and sustainable economic development strategies. Only through collaborative action can Lilongwe realize its vision of becoming a thriving, inclusive, and resilient capital city that fosters the well-being of all its residents.

References

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United Nations. (2023, August 16). Experts of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with disabilities ... United Nations Office Of The High Commissioner. https://www.ohchr.org/en/news/2023/08/experts-committee-rights-persons-disabilities-acknowledge-malawis-efforts-implement