By Zakeyu Mamba

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The Salima–Lilongwe Water Supply Project, once hailed as Malawi’s flagship infrastructure development, is now facing serious setbacks due to corruption, political interference, and weak management systems.

The multi-billion-kwacha project, designed to channel water from Lake Malawi in Salima to Lilongwe City, was intended to end decades of persistent water shortages in the capital.

However, recent report which we have seen reveal growing internal wrangles, misuse of funds, and delays have crippled progress.

Sources close to the project allege that some officials have turned the initiative into a tool for personal and political gain rather than focusing on its core mission of providing clean and reliable water to residents of Lilongwe.

The project involves a 120-kilometre pipeline, several pumping stations, and modern water treatment facilities.

By October 2025, construction had reportedly reached around 35 percent, but insiders now say work has almost come to a halt.

Delayed payments, procurement disputes, and a lack of transparency have been identified as major obstacles.

Experts warn that if the current trend of corruption and mismanagement continues, the project could collapse entirely wasting billions of taxpayers’ money and leaving the capital city’s residents still struggling with water scarcity.

Some civil society groups suspect deliberate sabotage by individuals with vested political or business interests in maintaining the status quo.

The situation has sparked public concern about accountability and leadership within government institutions overseeing the project.

Advocacy groups are now calling for an independent audit and tighter oversight mechanisms to protect public resources.

If effectively managed, the Salima–Lilongwe Water Project could revolutionize water access and drive economic growth in Lilongwe.

But for now, its future remains uncertain-clouded by politics, corruption, and a lack of transparency.

The Maravi Post