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ZOMBA

UTM District Manifesto 2025 | ZOMBA DISTRICT

“Zomba Rising: From Colonial Charm to Agro‑Industrial & Tourism Renaissance.”
“UTM will honor Zomba’s heritage while forging a future of smart agriculture, mountain tourism, and city-wide connectivity.”

Dr. Dalitso Kabambe – UTM Presidential Candidate 2025

Vision for Zomba

Context & Challenges:
Zomba, once Malawi’s colonial capital and seat of academia, has experienced years of underinvestment in infrastructure, economy, and digital services. Although home to the prestigious Chancellor College, urban growth has been stagnant. Surrounding areas like Domasi and Likangala suffer from poor service delivery, youth outmigration, and underutilized land. Meanwhile, tourism and agriculture sectors remain fragmented and informal.

UTM’s Vision:
To transform Zomba into Malawi’s first full-scale Smart City, centered on higher education, agro-industrial development, digital governance, and eco-tourism. Domasi will be the flagship Smart Village—a pilot for rural smart development with integrated services, processing hubs, and innovation platforms.

 

Mega Farms & Agro‑Processing

Context & Challenges:
Zomba’s agricultural heartlands—Domasi, Likangala, and Nakowi—are underutilized due to fragmented plots, limited irrigation, and lack of agro-processing infrastructure. Youth disengagement is driven by low returns and minimal support for modern farming techniques.

UTM Pledges:

  • Consolidate 8,000ha of commercial farmland across Domasi, Likangala, Nakowi
  • Introduce irrigation schemes, co-op models, and local input centers
  • Train farmers in regenerative, organic, and climate-smart agriculture
  • Establish agro-processing plants: tea (Zomba Plateau foothills), maize/soy (Domasi), horticulture drying (Nakowi)

Impact:
Investment: MK140 Billion
Jobs Created: 7,000 direct | 4,000 indirect
Output: 350,000 MT/year
Outcome: Commercial youth-led farming, stable markets, export competitiveness

Livestock & Animal Husbandry
Context & Challenges:
In areas like Likangala, Domasi Plains, and Nakowi, livestock production remains informal, with limited access to veterinary services, improved breeds, or processing infrastructure.

UTM Pledges:

  • Introduce 30,000 improved dairy and beef cattle, and goats
  • Anchor farms and communal ranches co-managed by farmer cooperatives
  • Deploy veterinary mobile labs and health workers
  • Construct a mini-dairy plant in Likangala
  • Offer input support, social housing for ≥20ha farmers, and weather insurance

Impact:
Investment: MK50 Billion
Jobs Created: 5,500 direct | 3,000 indirect
Output: Milk, meat, cheese, hides
Outcome: Structured livestock economy, improved nutrition, farmer income

 

Aquaculture & Blue Economy
Context & Challenges:
Zomba’s aquaculture potential—centered on Lake Chilwa, Domasi, Mulunguzi River, and Likangala wetlands—is constrained by ecological degradation, weak hatchery systems, and limited fish value chains.

UTM Pledges:

  • Expand Domasi National Hatchery into a Southern Aquaculture Innovation Hub
  • Build 20 cage farms in Lake Chilwa; 30 inland ponds along Mulunguzi & Likangala
  • Develop solar-aerated cage systems and community-run feed co-ops
  • Construct fish processing hubs, auction markets, and cold-chain infrastructure
  • Pilot algae farming, aquaponics, and biotech with youth groups

Impact:
Investment: MWK40 Billion
Jobs Created: 3,500
Output: 20,000 MT/year
Outcome: Blue economy growth, women and youth jobs, sustainable inland fisheries

Tourism, Heritage & Recreation
Context & Challenges:
Despite hosting the iconic Zomba Plateau, colonial architecture, and Lake Chilwa, Zomba’s tourism assets remain underdeveloped, unbranded, and disconnected from the broader economy.

UTM Pledges:

  • Develop eco-lodges, Plateau adventure trails, and mountaintop cafés
  • Transform Zomba State House into a Heritage Hotel and Museum
  • Revive Trout Farm Lodge with eco-resort facilities and fly-fishing events
  • Launch annual “Zomba Days” Festival rotating across Old Town, Plateau, and Trout Farm Grounds
  • Promote Lake Chilwa shoreline eco-tourism at Chisi Island and Lifuni Zone

Impact:
Investment: MWK60 Billion
Jobs Created: 5,000
Visitors: 100,000/year
Revenue Potential: MWK20 Billion/year
Outcome: Zomba as Malawi’s cultural and natural tourism capital

 

Zomba Smart City & Domasi Smart Village
Context & Challenges:
Zomba Town lacks integrated digital systems, reliable public utilities, and coordinated urban planning. Domasi, while agriculturally vital, lacks services, housing, and innovation zones.

UTM Pledges:

  • Roll out fibre internet and install 20+ public Wi-Fi zones in Zomba
  • Introduce smart traffic systems, solar street lighting, CCTV surveillance
  • Digitize land services, permits, taxation, and public dashboards
  • In Domasi: build 1,500 smart eco-homes with biogas, solar, rainwater systems
  • Construct smart health post, market, and youth innovation hub

Impact:
Investment: MWK80 Billion
Jobs Created: 6,000
Outcome: Malawi’s premier Smart City and Smart Village model; data-driven development, inclusive services

 

Smart Housing & Urban Renewal
Context & Challenges:
Zomba Town, Domasi, Likangala, and Nakowi face severe housing shortages, poor sanitation, and unplanned settlements, especially for youth and middle-income earners.

UTM Pledges:

  • Construct 3,500 climate-resilient homes with clean energy and digital readiness
  • Establish SME zones within housing estates
  • Deploy smart lighting, CCTV, and clean waste systems
  • Expand Smart Village templates across rural clusters

Impact:
Investment: MK60 Billion
Jobs Created: 4,500
Outcome: Improved urban dignity, integrated economic hubs, better living conditions

 

Infrastructure & Smart Connectivity
Context & Challenges:
Zomba’s M1 corridor and feeder roads are in poor shape. Agro-logistics suffer due to lack of rural connectivity and power outages.

UTM Pledges:

  • Upgrade Zomba–Blantyre M1 to dual carriageway
  • Rehabilitate 120km of feeder roads connecting Domasi, Nakowi, and Likangala
  • Roll out rural fibre broadband, solar mini-grids, and transport data systems

Impact:
Investment: MK150 Billion
Jobs Created: 6,000
Outcome: Rural-market access, investor appeal, digital rural transformation

 

Higher Education & Student Life
Context & Challenges:
Chancellor College and other institutions suffer from housing shortages, limited digital learning, and weak university-industry links.

UTM Pledges:

  • Expand student accommodation by 3,000 beds
  • Build mixed-use student villages with shops, cafes, Wi-Fi, and recreation
  • Launch innovation hubs linked to agritech, tourism, forestry, and smart-city tech

Impact:
Investment: MK50 Billion
Jobs Created: 2,000
Learners Accommodated: 30,000
Outcome: Knowledge economy anchored in Zomba; vibrant academic culture

 

Health, Education & Vocational Skills
Context & Challenges:
Zomba Central Hospital is overstretched. Technical skills training for youth is inadequate, especially for agro-processing and tourism.

UTM Pledges:

  • Upgrade Zomba Central Hospital’s ICU, maternity ward, and utilities
  • Build Domasi Vocational College (agro, eco-tourism, carpentry, ICT)
  • Provide dormitories, digital classrooms, and internship partnerships

Impact:
Investment: MK35 Billion
Jobs Created: 2,000
Skilled Graduates: 4,000/year
Outcome: Health access, employment-ready youth, and gender-inclusive education

 

Environment, Youth Forestry & Smart Irrigation
Context & Challenges:
Deforestation in Zomba Plateau slopes, river valleys, and peri-urban areas has led to soil erosion and reduced water flow. Charcoal dependence persists.

UTM Pledges:

  • Establish 5,000ha of youth-owned communal forests
  • Reforest 12,000ha using fruit, fast-growing, and indigenous trees
  • Install 500 solar-powered drip systems for 5,000 farmers
  • Create 30 briquette co-ops to reduce charcoal usage

Impact:
Investment: MWK20 Billion
Jobs Created: 1,200
Green Cover: 17,000ha
Outcome: Climate resilience, youth-led green wealth, clean cooking solutions

 

MK500 Billion Zomba District Development Fund (2025–2030)
Context & Challenges:
Zomba’s development has suffered from low district budgets, opaque procurement, and minimal citizen engagement.

UTM Pledges:

  • MK100 Billion annually through the Zomba District Development Agency (ZDDA)
  • Focus on Smart Cities, Smart Villages, tourism, mega farms, and SMEs
  • 60% procurement for local SMEs; 30% jobs reserved for youth and women

Expected Outcomes:

  • 60,000+ jobs created
  • 5,000 SMEs formalized
  • 300% increase in local revenue
  • Transparent and inclusive growth across sectors

 



Sector Key Locations Investment (MWK) Jobs (Direct + Indirect) Key Outputs & Impact
Mega Farms & Agro-Processing Domasi, Likangala, Nakowi 140 Billion 11,000 350,000 MT of produce/year; food security; export growth; youth commercial farming
Livestock & Animal Husbandry Likangala, Domasi Plains, Nakowi 50 Billion 8,500 Dairy, meat, hides; structured livestock economy; improved nutrition
Aquaculture & Blue Economy Domasi, Lake Chilwa, Mulunguzi River, Likangala Wetlands 40 Billion 3,500 20,000 MT fish/year; aquaculture innovation; women/youth livelihoods
Tourism & Heritage Zomba Plateau, Old Town, Trout Farm, Chisi Island 60 Billion 5,000 100,000 tourists/year; MWK 20B revenue/year; eco-cultural branding
Smart City & Smart Village Zomba Town (City); Domasi (Village Prototype) 80 Billion 6,000 Malawi’s first Smart City & Smart Village; digital governance; inclusive services
Smart Housing & Urban Renewal Zomba Town, Domasi, Likangala, Nakowi 60 Billion 4,500 3,500 eco-homes; dignified urban living; SME integration
Infrastructure & Connectivity M1 Corridor, Domasi–Nakowi–Likangala Roads 150 Billion 6,000 Dual carriageway; 120km rural roads; broadband & solar grids
Higher Education & Student Life Chancellor College, Urban Campus Zones 50 Billion 2,000 3,000 hostel beds; 30,000 learners; academic-commercial linkages
Health & Vocational Skills Zomba Central Hospital, Domasi Vocational College 35 Billion 2,000 Modern hospital services; 4,000 skilled graduates/year
Environment & Forestry Plateau Slopes, River Valleys, Peri-Urban Green Belts 20 Billion 1,200 17,000ha green cover; 5,000 irrigated farms; clean fuel via briquettes
District Development Fund (ZDDA) District-Wide 500 Billion (2025–30) 60,000+ (cumulative) 5,000 SMEs; transparent local growth; 300% increase in district revenue

“Zomba Rising: From Colonial Charm to Agro‑Industrial & Tourism Renaissance.”
Vote UTM. Vote Dr. Dalitso Kabambe.
“Smart Cities. Smart Farms. Smart Futures.”
SKC Legacy Lives On.

Tsogolo Lathu Lowala Lafika!

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