“Mchinji Moving Forward: The Gateway to Regional Trade and Food Sovereignty”
“From Borderland to Breadbasket — UTM will unlock Mchinji’s full economic and strategic
— Dr. Dalitso Kabambe, UTM Presidential Candidate 2025
Context & Challenges
As the western frontier of Malawi, Mchinji borders Zambia and lies close to Mozambique. It is strategically placed to become a trade, agriculture, and logistics hub linking Malawi to the SADC region. However, years of underinvestment, limited irrigation infrastructure, poor connectivity, and low-value commodity dependence have kept Mchinji underperforming. Youth unemployment remains high, and cross-border trade is informal and under-leveraged.
UTM’s Vision
UTM envisions Mchinji as a new centre of borderland prosperity — a breadbasket feeding the nation, a logistics corridor powering regional trade, and a smart zone empowering youth-led transformation. Through targeted infrastructure, smart agriculture, vocational training, and civic renewal, Mchinji will rise as the West’s economic engine.
Context & Challenges
Despite its strategic location, Mchinji has no formal SEZ to support export-oriented industries or structured cross-border trade. Border activity is informal, with poor logistics, weak warehousing, and lack of investor incentives.
UTM Pledges
Location: Kamwendo Border Zone
Investment: MWK 60 Billion
Jobs Created: 7,500
Impact: Formalized border trade, foreign investment attraction, youth employment in high-value trade chains
Context & Challenges
Mchinji’s fertile soils remain underutilized due to lack of irrigation, market infrastructure, and modern processing. Tobacco, maize, and soya dominate but with low returns. High-value crops like macadamia are not yet commercialized in the district.
UTM Pledges
Locations: Kamwendo, Mkanda, Gumba Valley
Investment: MWK 140 Billion
Jobs Created: 9,000
Output: 400,000 MT/year
Impact: National food sovereignty, rural value chains, export-ready produce
Context & Challenges
Mchinji’s livestock industry remains informal and undercapitalized, with weak veterinary networks and low processing capacity. Youth and women are excluded from the value chain due to lack of inputs and extension support.
UTM Pledges
Zones: Kalulu, Kapiri, Mkanda
Investment: MWK 45 Billion
Jobs Created: 4,000
Output: Meat, dairy, hides, and eggs
Impact: Formal livestock markets, new rural incomes, nutrition enhancement
Context & Challenges
Mchinji’s livestock industry remains informal and undercapitalized, with weak veterinary networks and low processing capacity. Youth and women are excluded from the value chain due to lack of inputs and extension support.
UTM Pledges
Zones: Kalulu, Kapiri, Mkanda
Investment: MWK 45 Billion
Jobs Created: 4,000
Output: Meat, dairy, hides, and eggs
Impact: Formal livestock markets, new rural incomes, nutrition enhancement
Context & Challenges
Mchinji’s role as a trade corridor is undermined by poor road conditions, weak internet penetration, and unreliable rural electrification.
UTM Pledges
Corridors: Mchinji–Lilongwe, Mchinji–Mwami Border, Feeder Roads
Investment: MWK 130 Billion
Jobs Created: 6,000
Impact: Improved trade logistics, ICT inclusion, all-weather farm access
Context & Challenges
Urban growth in Mchinji Boma and Kamwendo remains unplanned. Youth and skilled workers lack affordable housing and business infrastructure.
UTM Pledges
Locations: Mchinji Boma, Kamwendo, Gumba
Investment: MWK 50 Billion
Jobs Created: 3,000
Impact: Urban dignity, business incubation, cleaner modern townships
Context & Challenges
Mchinji’s hospital services are overstretched, and vocational skills training is limited. Rural clinics lack solar, labs, and maternity support.
UTM Pledges
Sites: Mchinji District Hospital, Vocational College Site, 3 Rural Health Centres
Investment: MWK 30 Billion
Jobs Created: 2,500
Impact: Skilled youth workforce, maternal safety, digital health outreach
Context & Challenges
Quarry resources are under-exploited and informally managed. Youth miners face safety risks, low returns, and lack market access.
UTM Pledges
Sites: Gumba Hills, Kapiri Quarry Zone
Investment: MWK 15 Billion
Jobs Created: 1,500
Impact: Safer artisanal mining, SME income, construction sector inputs
Context & Challenges
Deforestation and unreliable rainfall threaten farming livelihoods and water security. Energy poverty fuels charcoal burning.
UTM Pledges
Zones: Border Forests, Watershed Hills, Agro-Zones
Investment: MWK 12 Billion
Jobs Created: 1,000
Impact: Water retention, energy security, youth-led green jobs
Context & Challenges
Mchinji’s transformation needs large-scale, long-term capital with local ownership, transparency, and employment linkages.
UTM Pledges
Administered by: Mchinji District Development Authority (MDDA)
Strategic Priorities: Mega farms, SME processing, housing, trade infrastructure, ICT, skills
Results by 2030:
| Sector | Investment (MWK) | Jobs Created | Output/Impact |
| Mega Farms & Agro-Processing | 140 Billion | 9,000 | 400,000 MT crops/year, food reserve, exports |
| Livestock & Animal Husbandry | 45 Billion | 4,000 | Meat, dairy, hides, nutrition & SME growth |
| Tourism, Culture & Heritage | 25 Billion | 2,5000 | 40,000 tourists/year, 10B/year revenue |
| Infrastructure & Smart Connectivity | 130 Billion | 6,000 | Trade, logistics, digital access |
| Smart Housing & Urban Planning | 50 Billion | 3,000 | 3,000 units, urban revitalization |
| Health, Education & Skills | 30 Billion | 2,500 | Skilled youth, maternal health |
| Mining & Artisanal Development | 15 Billion | 1,500 | Local construction input, community jobs |
| Climate Resilience & Reforestation | 12 Billion | 1,000 | Green buffer zones, briquettes, awareness |
| Special Economic Zone (SEZ) | 60 Billion | 7,500 | Trade hub, dry port, investor incentives |
| District Development Fund (2025–2030) | 500 Billion | 50,000 | Flagship projects, SME inclusion, local revenue growth |
| TOTAL | 1.007 Trillion | 87,000 | Regional food hub, trade zone, green economy |
Mchinji Moving Forward: From Borderland to Breadbasket.
Vote UTM. Vote Dr. Dalitso Kabambe.
“A Prosperous Border. A Proud People. A New Malawi.”
