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The Ministry of Lands in Malawi has announced that it has successfully mapped the entire country using aerial technology, a development it described as a major achievement in national planning and disaster management. Surveyor General, Masida Mbano, disclosed this in an interview with The Maravi Post, assuring Malawians that they can now depend on the department for up-to-date aerial mapping services.
According to him, the mapping exercise was carried out with support from the United States Military Navy and the Department of Disaster and Management Affairs (DoDMA). He explained that the images generated are of very high quality and can serve several purposes, including disaster management, physical planning, hydrological studies, road network development, mapping of informal settlements, and analysis of customary land.
“We have mapped the whole country from the air with the help of the United States Military Navy with support from the Department of Disaster and Management Affairs. Aerial mapping has given us an up-to-date status of Malawi’s international boundaries. The images are high quality and can be applied in different sectors,” Mbano stated.
The Surveyor General further said that aerial mapping is expected to be updated every five years. He recalled that the last exercise was conducted in 2019, with assistance from the National Statistics Office, and stressed that consistent updates are necessary for proper planning and data accuracy.
Mbano also used the opportunity to encourage citizens, companies, and organisations in Malawi to make use of the services provided by the Ministry of Lands through the Survey Department. According to him, many institutions sometimes conduct parallel surveys, leading to duplication of work and unnecessary spending. “We appeal to citizens and organisations to utilise the services offered by the department and avoid duplication of efforts,” he advised.
Analysts say the development could mark a turning point for Malawi’s infrastructure and disaster response capacity. With reliable aerial images, authorities can now better plan cities, respond more effectively to natural disasters such as floods, and improve land management. For communities living in flood-prone areas like Nsanje and Chikwawa, experts believe the data will help government agencies act faster during emergencies.
Urban planners also note that the mapping will make it easier to manage rapid growth in towns and cities. Malawi, like many African countries, faces challenges of informal settlements and limited infrastructure. With clearer aerial data, it becomes possible to design new road networks, upgrade slums, and allocate land for housing, agriculture, and industry more effectively.
Another important area where aerial mapping could play a role is in the hydrological analysis of rivers and lakes. Malawi depends heavily on Lake Malawi and its river systems for fishing, agriculture, and energy generation. Updated aerial images can assist in water management, monitoring climate change impact, and planning for irrigation projects.
The partnership with the United States Navy also highlights Malawi’s growing international cooperation in technology and development. It shows how global collaborations can help African countries access advanced technology that may otherwise be difficult to implement due to financial and technical constraints.
For ordinary Malawians, this initiative may not immediately reflect in their daily lives, but in the long term, improved mapping can translate to better roads, organised cities, faster disaster relief, and stronger land rights protection.
The Ministry of Lands has reiterated its commitment to ensuring that this data is accessible for development purposes. However, experts warn that for the benefits to be fully realised, Malawi will need to establish strict regulations on land use, improve coordination between government agencies, and ensure that aerial data is not only collected but also applied in policymaking.
With this achievement, Malawi joins other African countries that have taken steps to embrace modern mapping technology as a tool for governance, development, and environmental management.
