Have you ever wondered what Orant means? It’s not just a funny word - it has a deeper meaning that we’re telling you about this week in the blog. Read more about it here and learn where we got our name and why we are grateful for you, our readers, donors, and supporters, this week and always.
Urbanisation in Malawi: MW2063 Pillar #3
The Third Pillar of Malawi Vision 2063
Our journey through the pillars of Malawi Vision 2063 ends with urbanisation, the ultimate goal of the vision: a developed, urbanized, and inclusively wealthy nation. This blog will delve into the third pillar, exploring its significance and how it builds upon the previous pillars of agricultural productivity and commercialization and industrialization.
“We shall have world-class urban centers and tourism hubs across the country with requisite modern amenities.”
What is Urbanisation?
Urbanisation is the process by which people move from more rural areas to more urban areas. With only three cities in a country of over 20 million people, Malawi has a long way to go in terms of urbanisation. However, this presents a unique opportunity for thoughtful and sustainable urban development. Urbanisation offers considerable opportunities for socio-economic transformation, bringing populations closer together to share resources and fostering innovation and economic growth.
Urban Centers and Tourism
There is a lack of infrastructure of all kinds throughout Malawi. There are few paved roads and the roads that are paved are often poorly maintained. Cities and towns are poorly planned and sprawling. Developing denser and better planned urban centers will allow greater access to key infrastructure and more sustainable growth over the long term.
Tourism has the potential to be a huge boon for Malawi, but there are a number of limiting factors. Malawi is not very well connected to other countries regionally or internationally. Without transport infrastructure, it is hard to attract visitors to experience Malawi’s abundant natural beauty.
Infrastructure Development Planning
MW2063 calls for all cities and towns in Malawi to have master plans that help ensure there is a concentrated thought process that goes into building the necessary infrastructure and amenities. These should include schemes for low and middle income housing to ensure that it is not an afterthought. Additionally, Malawi should develop a mortgage market so that homeownership is more accessible to the average Malawian. Planning should include green spaces that allow for an improved quality of health and life. Towns should be upgraded to cities to decongest larger cities and provide more space for people to build their own civic identities.
Domestic Revenue Mobilization
The tax base must be broadened and tax law must be updated and reviewed and ensure that taxation should not be a burden on growth.
Local revenue mobilization capacities must be expanded and enhanced. This will allow districts and towns to perform more local works projects. Local councils shall be supported with necessary incentives for developing economic anchor activities or projects. Ultimately, local authorities must be capacitated with skills in planning and implementing infrastructure projects.
Challenges and Opportunities
While urbanisation offers tremendous potential, it also presents challenges. Rapid and unplanned urbanisation can lead to slums, poor infrastructure, and environmental degradation. To mitigate these risks, Malawi must focus on developing smart and well-planned cities with integrated transportation systems, affordable housing, and accessible social services.
Harnessing Agriculture and Industrialization for Urban Development
The success of urbanisation in Malawi is closely linked to the first two pillars of MW2063. A productive and commercialized agricultural sector will provide the foundation for rural wealth creation, while industrialization will create jobs and economic opportunities in urban areas. This synergy will drive sustainable urbanisation and reduce the gap between rural and urban areas.
Be sure to check out our other blogs on Malawi Vision 2063 here and stay tuned for more information and analysis of MW2063!
The Orant Journal
The Culture of Malawi: An Introduction to Malawian Proverbs
Malawian culture has always been known as a treasure trove of wisdom, and proverbs being an integral part of our rich heritage. These timeless sayings have been passed on through generations, offering guidance, direction, and warnings that shape our values, beliefs, and daily lives. In our upcoming blog series, we will delve into the world of Malawian proverbs, exploring their meanings, contexts and significance. Read today's blog post which serves as an introduction to our journey.
As Big as the Sky Book Review
Read today’s blog about the children’s book, “As Big as the Sky”, a Malawian story about a brother and sister whose love for each other is as big as the sky.
Orant’s Values
“Orant respectfully serves and collaborates with our community in a sustainable way.”
The Village Chief’s Vital Role
Ever wondered why we always mention village chiefs and their involvement in Orant’s work? If yes, then today’s blog article is for you! In this article, we talk to Village Head of Kasese Village in Dowa, who tells us about her duties and why her involvement with Orant is important. Read today's blog article to learn more.
The End of Plenty Book Review
Recently, we read The End of Plenty by Joel K. Bourne Jr. An honest and sometimes scathing review of the Green Revolution, this book covers how monoculture crops have led to worsening hunger across the world. As the planet warms, the need is ever more urgent for us to find a solution to humanity’s desperate need to feed 9 billion people.
Best Things to Do in Malawi
Whether you are planning an African trip or just curious about the things we love about Malawi, read today’s blog to see the best things to do in Malawi!
Holidays in Malawi
Holidays are here again and we are so excited! Most of our team is taking time off with their families and loved ones, so please enjoy this blog while we are away. Celebrate the holidays with us the Malawian way!
The Culture of Malawi: Malawian Religions
Introducing you to the culture of Malawi through a series of articles! The culture of Malawi is strong in spirituality and most people are active in religious groups. We’ll tell you about Malawi’s main religions and the people who practice them. Read on for more.
Industrialisation in Malawi: MW2063 Pillar #2
As we have discussed in some of our past blogs, Malawi Vision 2063 has three key pillars that guide the focus of the Vision. These three pillars are meant to build on each other to create the inclusively wealthy and self-reliant nation that they envision. In this blog, we will look at the second pillar of MW2063: Industrialization.