By Smile Hamilton Malawi
The Roads Fund Administration (RFA) has announced plans to construct four new toll gates in the 2026/27 financial year, a move aimed at boosting revenue collection but one that is likely to intensify public scrutiny over the state of roads across the country.
The proposed toll gates will be established at Mkamanga in Mponela and Gwayi in Nkhamenya along the M001 Road, as well as Chileka on the Lilongwe–Mchinji Road and Naluva on the Lilongwe–Salima Road. Authorities say the expansion is designed to enhance efficiency in toll fee collection and secure long-term financing for infrastructure development.
Speaking during a media briefing in Lilongwe, RFA Director of Finance Alex Makhwatha said the initiative is necessary to sustain road maintenance programmes.
“The expansion of toll gates is intended to improve collection efficiency and ensure consistent funding for road maintenance and infrastructure development,” said Makhwatha.
RFA data shows that toll gates at Chingeni and Kalinyeke have generated approximately K16.5 billion since 2021, with the authority stating that the funds have been used for patching, drainage works, sectional rehabilitation, and operational costs along the M1.
Despite this, concerns persist among road users, many of whom argue that road conditions in several parts of the country do not reflect the level of revenue being collected. One Lilongwe-based minibus operator said, “We are paying more, but the roads are still full of potholes. People want to see real change.”
The RFA has previously acknowledged operating under financial strain, citing a nearly three-year delay in fuel levy remittances from Treasury — a situation that has slowed rehabilitation projects and delayed earlier toll gate expansion plans.
The latest development comes just months after government increased toll fees, a decision that drew criticism from transporters and motorists already burdened by rising fuel costs, further intensifying calls for accountability in the managemen
t of road funds.
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