Revitalising Malawi’s Building Sector: A New Era of Compliance and Opportunity

Key Business Points

• Tightened oversight: The Construction Industry Regulatory Authority (CIRA) has introduced new measures to strengthen regulation of construction projects in Malawi, aiming to ensure integrity and quality in the industry.
• Infrastructure audits: All clients and procuring entities must integrate infrastructure technical audits into their project governance frameworks to safeguard public investments and guide maintenance planning.
• Digitalization and compliance: CIRA has migrated to digital systems, requiring firms to process licensing, registration, levy payments, and compliance reporting online, streamlining processes and ensuring only qualified companies operate in the sector.

The Construction Industry Regulatory Authority (CIRA) has announced new measures for 2026, aimed at enhancing oversight of construction projects across the country. Speaking during a press briefing in Lilongwe, CIRA Chief Executive Officer, Engineer Gerald Khonje, emphasized the need for higher performance and integrity in the industry. The new measures require all clients and procuring entities to integrate infrastructural technical audits into their project governance frameworks, which will help establish inventories of national infrastructure, assess conditions and risks, and guide maintenance planning.

The authority has issued a communiqué outlining obligations for contractors, consultants, and suppliers, including valid licensing, timely payment of statutory levies, and adherence to technical standards. Additionally, all major projects must embed training, mentorship, and technology transfer programs to strengthen local skills, promoting capacity building and local content. This move is expected to boost economic growth and create job opportunities for Malawians.

CIRA has also migrated to digital systems, requiring firms to process licensing, registration, levy payments, and compliance reporting online. This digitalization is expected to make processes faster and ensure that only qualified companies operate in the sector. The authority’s move is in line with its national mandate to regulate, promote, and develop Malawi’s construction sector, as outlined in the Construction Industry Act of 2025.

As CIRA tightens its grip on the construction industry, businesses and entrepreneurs in Malawi must take note of these new measures and comply fully with the new directives. This will not only ensure integrity and quality in the industry but also unlock investment opportunities and promote economic growth. By working together, the government, private sector, and stakeholders can build a stronger and more resilient construction industry in Malawi, creating a better future for all Malawians. Tikambisane, let us work together to build a prosperous Malawi.

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