- Minister says digital reforms, stronger land governance and planned urban growth will be central to Malawi’s development ambitions under new strategy
The Government has unveiled an ambitious five-year strategy aimed at overhauling land administration, expanding access to affordable housing and managing the pressures of rapid urbanisation as Malawi pursues its long-term development goals.
Launching the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development’s Strategic Plan for 2026-2031 at the Bingu International Convention Centre in Lilongwe on Tuesday, Lands Minister Chimwemwe Chipungu said the blueprint would serve as a roadmap for improving land governance, modernising public services and supporting sustainable urban growth.
Addressing government officials, diplomats, development partners, traditional leaders and civil society representatives, Chipungu described the plan as more than a policy document, calling it a “shared strategic direction” for the next five years.
Malawi faces mounting pressure on its land resources amid rapid population growth, increasing urbanisation and rising demand for housing and infrastructure. The minister said the strategy had been designed to respond to these challenges while improving transparency and efficiency in service delivery.
“How we manage land today will have profound implications for the Malawi we seek to create tomorrow,” Chipungu said, arguing that secure access to land remains fundamental to agriculture, housing, industry and investment.
The new plan is closely aligned with the Malawi 2063 national vision and seeks to support the country’s ambitions for agricultural transformation, industrialisation and urbanisation.
Under the strategy, the ministry will prioritise improvements in land administration systems, strengthen tenure security, promote planned settlements and expand access to adequate housing. It will also seek to improve the availability of geospatial information and make greater use of digital technologies.
A key pillar of the plan is the expansion of digital land services. Building on the introduction of the Land Information Management System and digital land registration processes, the ministry aims to make land information more accessible, reduce administrative delays and improve accountability.
Chipungu said technology should be used to deliver measurable benefits for citizens seeking land registration, planning approvals, valuation services and other government services.
The minister also highlighted housing as one of Malawi’s most pressing development challenges, saying government alone could not meet growing demand.
Instead, he called for stronger partnerships with private investors, financial institutions and development agencies to promote affordable and resilient housing solutions.
“Our approach recognises that the housing challenge cannot be solved by Government alone,” he said.
The strategy further seeks to strengthen urban planning as towns and cities continue to expand. Authorities will be expected to improve development control, integrate housing and infrastructure planning, and build more inclusive and resilient urban centres.
Chipungu stressed that implementation would be subject to performance monitoring and regular reviews, warning that success would ultimately be judged by results rather than plans.
“We must be prepared to ask difficult questions,” he said. “What have we achieved? What has not been achieved? Why has it not been achieved?”
While acknowledging that funding constraints remain a significant challenge, the minister said implementation would rely on government resources, development partner support, public-private partnerships and other financing mechanisms.
He urged donors to align their support with the strategy’s priorities and called on local authorities, traditional leaders, civil society organisations and communities to play an active role in delivery.
Describing the strategy as a “shared roadmap”, Chipungu said its success would depend on coordinated action across government and society.
He said the ultimate objective was to translate policy commitments into tangible improvements in people’s lives through secure land rights, better housing opportunities and more sustainable urban development.
“The launch is not the destination,” he said. “It is the beginning of a five-year journey towards stronger land governance, better housing and better managed cities.”
The Ministry’s vision for the period is “equitable access to secure land, adequate housing and sustainable urban development for all”, with officials expected to begin implementing the strategy immediately.
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