Lilongwe

Lilongwe is the capital and largest city of Malawi. It has grown a lot over the years, with its population reaching 989,318 by the 2018 Census. By 2020, the number of people living there had grown even more to about 1,122,000.

The city is found in the central part of Malawi, in a district that shares its name, close to the borders with Mozambique and Zambia. Lilongwe is an important place for business and travel in central Malawi. The city gets its name from the Lilongwe River, which flows nearby.

History

Lilongwe was first set up as a place for local leaders around 1902 and later became an important area for government work in 1904. In the 1920s, its position at the meeting point of several major roads helped it grow as a market for farmers in the fertile central region.

Lilongwe became an official town in 1947 and grew more important after Malawi gained independence. In 1965, the country's first president chose it as a key place for growth. Lilongwe officially became the capital of Malawi in 1975, replacing Zomba. By 2005, all government offices had moved there.

Development in the 1970s and 1980s included building Lilongwe International Airport, rail connections to nearby areas and to the border with Zambia, industrial zones, and programs to support farming in the region's rich tobacco lands. The city's population has been growing quickly, with an annual growth rate of 4.3%.

Planning history

The first plan for Lilongwe was made in 1955, before it was chosen as the capital in 1965. The plan aimed to make government work easier and to help develop the central and northern parts of Malawi by creating a major growth point in the country’s center. Experts created a master plan in 1968, which guided later planning.

The city was designed with four main centers to avoid crowded streets. Each center had areas for homes, jobs, and services to make travel shorter. These centers were Old Town, City Centre, Kanengo, and Lumbadzi. The plan also focused on creating a pleasant environment with parks and open spaces fitting for a capital city.

By the mid-1970s, a new plan was needed to look more broadly at the city's growth. The 1978 Urban Structure Plan included changes to city boundaries and new planning for Lumbadzi and Kamuzu International Airport. This plan strongly influenced city planning policies.

The early development stages were finished by 1986. The city was well established, with most roads, water, and electricity in place. Development was happening in all four sectors, though some areas were still growing. Later plans expanded the city’s area to include more land for housing and organized growth. With help from Japan, new planning studies began in 2008 to guide future development.

The area of Lilongwe City is 393 km², with a population of about 989,318 as of the 2018 Census. While the city was planned with four main sectors, it has spread to the south, southwest, and west. There are areas where people have settled without planning, sometimes on land meant for industry or public use. Finding and securing land for planned housing remains an urgent need.

Politics

Lilongwe is managed by the Lilongwe City Council, which is mostly led by the Malawi Congress Party.

The parliament of Malawi is located in Lilongwe.

Demographics

The city of Lilongwe has grown very quickly over the years. In 1966, there were fewer than 20,000 people living there, but by 2018, the population had jumped to almost a million. This fast growth has led to many new neighborhoods forming around the city.

Different groups of people live in Lilongwe. The largest group is the Chewa, making up over 42% of the city's people. Other groups include the Ngoni at about 17%, the Lomwe at around 14%, and smaller percentages of Yao, Tumbuka, Mang'anja, Sena, Tonga, Nyanja, Nkhonde, Lambya, and Sukwa.

People in Lilongwe practice many different religions. The largest group belongs to the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian, followed by Catholicism. Other religions include Seventh-day Adventist, Baptist, Apostolic, Pentecostal, Anglican, other Christian groups, Islam, and traditional beliefs, as well as some people who do not follow any religion.

Geography

Lilongwe is found on a plateau in Central Malawi, part of the East African Rift Valley. It sits at an altitude of 1,050 metres above sea level along the Lilongwe River.

The city is split into a New and Old City. The New City has hotels, government offices, and embassies. The Old City features markets, bus stations, cafes, and restaurants. The modern shops contrast with the street and walled markets of the Old Town.

Lilongwe has many different areas for homes, shops, and offices. Some areas are for smaller houses, some for taller buildings, and others for businesses and factories. The city continues to grow, especially in the southern parts.

Lilongwe has a warm climate with mild winters. It has a short rainy season from December to March, and a long dry season from April to August. During the rainy months, the city can get a lot of rain.

Economy

See also: Economy of Malawi

Lilongwe is very important for Malawi because many government offices and public services are based there. Even though Blantyre is the main commercial city, Lilongwe has its own special area called Kanengo in the north where many jobs happen. People in Kanengo work in food processing, storing and selling tobacco, and keeping maize safe. Other important jobs in Lilongwe include banking, selling things in shops, building, moving goods and people, working for the government, attracting visitors, and making tobacco products.

Many people in Lilongwe live in areas that are not officially planned, and some families don’t have much money. Not everyone who wants a job can find one, but many people work for the government, while others have jobs in businesses or work for themselves.

Transportation

Airport

Kamuzu International Airport (LLW) is located north of the city, about 7 kilometres from the city centre. It is the oldest airport in the country.

Buses

Regular bus services run from Lilongwe to Blantyre, Zomba, Kasungu, and Mzuzu. International buses go daily to South Africa, Zambia, and Tanzania.

The city's main roads include a north–south road (M1), an inner ring road, an outer ring road, the Nacala corridor, and roads leading to Kamuzu International Airport. The inner ring road connects to M1 and serves busy commercial and administrative areas in the city centre. The outer ring road helps move traffic related to industries without going through the main part of the city. Recent improvements to the roads have greatly enhanced the city's appearance and transportation.

Rail

There is a rail service to Lilongwe. The Sena railway line goes west toward Zambia and east to Salima.

Education

Lilongwe is home to many schools and a university. The University of Malawi was started in 1964. There are also many primary and secondary schools in the city, with students attending classes to learn and grow.

Places of worship

Lilongwe has many important places where people gather for their faith. Most of these are Christian churches and temples, including the Lutheran Church of Central Africa, the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian, the Baptist Convention of Malawi, the Assemblies of God, and the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe. There are also mosques for people who practice Islam.

Sport

Lilongwe has a big new stadium called Bingu National Stadium that can hold 40,000 people. It was finished with help from China and opened in early 2017. Other football stadiums in the city include Silver Stadium, Civo Stadium, and Nankhaka Ground. Popular football teams in Lilongwe are Silver Strikers, Civo Sporting, Blue Eagles, and Kamuzu Barracks.

People in Lilongwe also enjoy basketball, netball, and rugby. Basketball is played at places like African Bible College and Don Bosco. Netball is popular at Gateway Mall and other spots. A new sports complex near Bingu National Stadium opened recently, where people can play basketball, volleyball, and netball. The complex is named Griffin Sayenda Sports Complex.

Twin towns – sister cities

Lilongwe has special friendships with two other cities around the world. It is twinned with Taipei in Taiwan since 1984, and with Lusaka in Zambia since 2004. These partnerships help the cities share ideas and support each other.