Lilongwe: City report

The report examines the development challenges in Lilongwe, the capital of Malawi, where three-quarters of the population live in poor informal settlements. Researchers from the African Cities Research Consortium (ACRC) analysed the political-economic factors influencing these issues. Since Malawi's shift to multiparty democracy in 1994, competitive elections have led to patronage and clientelism, exacerbated by the country's small economy and widespread poverty. Emerging reform coalitions aim to upgrade informal settlements but need capacity building and external funding. Success depends on attracting additional resources, managing politicised local structures, and fostering community participation in local governance.

For a deeper understanding of the development challenges and potential solutions in Lilongwe, check out the blog post and the detailed research brief (PDF, 1.78MB).

Abstract based directly on original source.