National Transport Policy
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Republic of Malawi NATIONAL TRANSPORT POLICY APRIL 2015 Table of Contents Foreword ............................................................................................................................ iii Preface................................................................................................................................ iv List of Acronyms and Abbreviations .................................................................................. v 1 Introduction ................................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Background .......................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Status of the Transport Sector .............................................................................. 1 1.2.1 National Transport System ........................................................................... 1 1.2.2 Sector Coordination ...................................................................................... 5 1.2.3 Institutional Reformsr ................................................................................... 5 1.2.4 Challenges Facing the Sector ........................................................................ 5 1.3 Linkages with Other Relevant Policies ................................................................ 6 1.4 Performance Constraints ...................................................................................... 7 1.5 Purpose of the Policy............................................................................................ 8 2 Broad Policy Directions .............................................................................................. 8 2.1 Policy Goal ........................................................................................................... 8 2.2 Policy Outcomes .................................................................................................. 8 2.3 Policy Objectives.................................................................................................. 9 3 Policy Priority Areas ................................................................................................... 9 3.1 Transport Infrastructure Issues ............................................................................. 9 3.1.1 Road Transport............................................................................................ 10 3.1.2 Rail Transport ............................................................................................. 10 3.1.3 Air Transport ............................................................................................... 11 3.1.4 Inland Water Transport ............................................................................... 12 3.1.5 Pipelines ...................................................................................................... 12 3.1.6 Rural Transport ........................................................................................... 12 3.1.7 Urban Transport .......................................................................................... 13 3.2 Transport Services Provision ............................................................................. 13 3.2.1 Road Transport............................................................................................ 14 3.2.2 Rail Transport ............................................................................................. 14 3.2.3 Air Transport ............................................................................................... 15 3.2.4 Inland Water Transport ............................................................................... 15 3.2.5 Rural Transport ........................................................................................... 16 3.2.6 Urban Transport .......................................................................................... 16 3.3 Non-Motorised Transport ................................................................................... 16 3.4 International Transport Corridors: ..................................................................... 17 3.5 Private Sector Participation: ............................................................................... 18 3.6 Good Governance ............................................................................................... 18 3.7 Strengthening of Institutional Framework: ........................................................ 19 3.7.1 Planning and Coordination ......................................................................... 19 3.7.2 Legislation and Regulations ........................................................................ 19 3.7.3 Capacity Development ................................................................................ 20 3.8 Crosscutting Issues ............................................................................................. 20 3.8.1 Social and Environmental Management ..................................................... 20 3.8.2 Gender Mainstreaming................................................................................ 21 i 3.8.3 Disaster Risk Management and Developing a Climate Resilient Transport Network22 4 Implementation Arrangements.................................................................................. 22 4.1 Key Government Ministries and Departments ................................................... 22 4.2 Implementation Plan .......................................................................................... 24 4.3 Monitoring and Evaluation................................................................................. 24 ii Foreword Government recognises the significant role played by the transport sector in attainment of the sustainable economic and social development of the country. The sector is an essential enabling service with proven links to economic growth and poverty reduction which are the primary objectives of two of the key national planning documents to which Government has committed – Malawi Growth and Development Strategy (MGDS) II and the Economic Recovery Plan (ERP). It is acknowledged that an integrated transport system is a catalyst for development and is central to improving domestic and international connectivity. This National Transport Policy builds on a process that started in 1994 when the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) provided the Ministry with Technical Assistance to ensure that policy proposals were taken through the traditional public policy making process that includes consultation and interaction with significant role players regarding issues to be placed on the agenda. The policy that emanated from this assistance and was approved by cabinet in 1999 was further developed on the basis of implementation experience, and a revised policy developed in 2004. This Policy, along with its accompanying Implementation Plan, provides a further positive step in the development of the transport sector in Malawi and is a necessary update of the policy to meet the expectations of MGDS II and the ERP. However, it is also recognised that in terms of meeting longer-term visions there is still some way to go, and that the impetus developed under earlier policies needs to be maintained by the Ministry. The Policy goal is to ensure the provision of a coordinated transport environment that fosters a safe and competitive operation of commercially viable, financially sustainable, and environmentally friendly transport services and enterprises. The scope of the Policy covers all modes of transport namely; road, rail, air and marine and is made up of six (6) priority areas which are : Transport Infrastructure, Transport Services, International Transport Corridors, Private Sector Participation, Strengthening of Institutional Framework and Cross-cutting Issues. This Policy has the full commitment of Government and therefore, all stakeholders are urged to embrace and implement the Policy. Successful implementation of the Policy will ensure that the transport sector makes its full contribution to the achievement of the Malawi’s development goals. Hon. Francis L. Kasaila, M.P. Minister of Transport and Public Works iii Preface This National Transport Policy offers opportunities for a range of stakeholders to contribute positively to the overall development objectives of the country. Government is committed to increasing private sector participation in the provision, management and operation of transport infrastructure and services, and this Policy is designed to encourage further development of the strategies adopted to date in this regard. The major challenge for Government will be to ensure that sufficient funds are available for implementation of the strategies developed under the Policy, and the encouragement of the private sector to increase their involvement in transport is seen as the key to meeting this challenge. The reduction of the country’s extremely high transport costs is the key objective of the Policy. The approach adopted to achieve this goal has been to move from a highly controlled transport sector to a more liberalised market oriented transport sector, in which private sector participation is encouraged, including promotion of effective and fair competition among and within all modes of transport. The role of Government, therefore, increasingly becomes that of providing an enabling environment in which the private sector or other