Road tolls fund major road repairs

Motorists across Malawi could soon experience improved road conditions after the government invested billions of kwacha collected from toll gates into road rehabilitation projects.

The Roads Authority says it collected K1.77 billion in toll fees between April and June 2026, representing a 56 percent increase from K1.13 billion collected during the same period last year.

The revenue has been channelled directly into road maintenance and rehabilitation across the country.

The increase in collections is expected to strengthen the government’s capacity to maintain and rehabilitate key road infrastructure across the country.

According to Roads Fund Administration Finance Manager James Dzonzi, the funds are already being channelled towards ongoing road maintenance and rehabilitation works.

Dzonzi said part of the revenue is being used to maintain sections of the M1 Road, one of Malawi’s most important transport corridors.

toll gate funds invested into road rehabilitation projects

He highlighted the Blantyre–Lilongwe section of the M1 as one of the priority stretches currently benefiting from the rehabilitation programme.

The M1 Road serves as the country’s main north-south transport route, linking major cities, commercial centres and agricultural production areas.

Government believes that investing toll revenues directly into road maintenance will improve transport efficiency, reduce vehicle operating costs and enhance road safety for motorists.

The rehabilitation exercise also forms part of broader efforts to preserve existing road infrastructure and extend its lifespan through timely maintenance.

Officials say improved road conditions are expected to facilitate trade, enhance the movement of goods and services, and contribute to Malawi’s economic development.

The Roads Fund Administration has continued to encourage compliance with toll payments, saying the revenue plays a vital role in financing the maintenance of the country’s road network.