19/01/2026
CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANISATION DATES THE ROADS FUND ADMINISTRATION ON TOLLING
On Monday, 19 January 2026, the Roads Fund Administration hosted a delegation from Focused Mind a concerned citizen advocacy group.
The group led by Fredrick Billy Malata and four others engaged the RFA on the recently adjusted toll fees.
We noted that recently the Malawi Government had gazzetted new toll tariffs adjusting toll fees effective 1st January 2026. The new fees are very welcome as long as the RFA efficiently utilize the funds for the intended purpose which is road maintenance of the tolled road.
In his contribution, the National Coordinator of Focused Mind Organisation, Billy Malata noted that the RFA needs to increase its public awareness coverage to ensure that its role and mandate is quite well known by a wider audience.
He bemoaned that the toll fee adjustment was not widely publicized leaving many motorists unaware of the increase.
The CSO national coordinator committed to join the RFA in ensuring a wide reach of its messages to ensure that the public appreciates and understand the purpose and benefits of tolling.
He further parried away any negative sentiments from other organisations who have no firsthand information on the need for tariff increase. He called upon the detractors to have evidence-based approach before criticizing government proposals like the tariff adjustment.
In his response, the RFA chief executive officer, Stewart Malata, thanked the concerned civil society, Focus Mind for taking a lead to engage the RFA. We are transparent in our business and very open and ready to public scrutiny. We are glad to have this honest and open conversation with you on our challenges and plans on tolling.
He informed the delegation that the toll fees were stagnant and there have never been any tariff increase since the commencement of tolling.
It should be noted that the original tariff was even reduced down wards by over 30 to 40 percent barely a month after commencement of tolling due to public outcry. This was despite that the original fees were arrived after a comprehensive feasibility study.
This affected our revenue collections hence reduced the available funds for road maintenance. It was challenging to finance any meaningful road maintenance.
We are glad that the government has approved the tariff which will assist in road maintenance.
