Roads in Malawi

[1][2][3] Malawi has a well-developed road network especially considering its modest economic status and this could be due to the relatively high population density as compared to other African countries.

It features a well-developed paved road infrastructure characterized by the main north–south artery, M1, flanked with parallel branches and few others east–west routes owing to the elongated geography of the country.

[4] On September 28, 2020, Lilongwe, a clover leaf interchange was sacrificed thus not a complete lack of motorways in Malawi thereby signifying a step ahead in the country's transportation development.

Blantyre's road infrastructure shares similarities with Lilongwe, with the notable exception of the M2, which boasts separate carriageways, a unique feature in Malawi until recently.

Throughout Malawi's countryside, new road construction features resemble those found in Europe's urban areas; they include expanded lanes measuring 9–10 metres to cater for both vehicles and pedestrians as well as circular intersections which point towards upcoming improvement to our transport system.

A few other routes, such as the M2 between Blantyre and Mulanje and the M14 between Lilongwe and Salima, featured narrow paved surfaces, but these were exceptions rather than the norm, highlighting the underdeveloped state of Malawi's transportation infrastructure.

The M1 stands out as the country's premier road, spanning the length of Malawi from north to south, passing through its largest urban centers and playing a vital role in linking the nation.

[11] During President Hastings Banda's dictatorial rule from 1964 to 1994, Malawi embraced a self-sufficiency philosophy, driven by its landlocked location and lack of raw materials.

To stimulate economic growth, the government invested heavily in road development, primarily to facilitate the transportation of agricultural products to urban centers.

Malawi's road development has largely relied on foreign expertise, with European and Chinese construction companies playing a significant role.

[20] Malawi's road signage system remains somewhat of a mystery, but it is believed to align with the standards set by the South African Development Community (SADC), which draws inspiration from British guidelines.