By Chisomo Phiri
The Construction Industry Regulatory Authority (CIRA) has unveiled new measures set to take effect in 2026, aimed at strengthening oversight of construction projects nationwide.
Speaking at a press briefing held in Lilongwe on Wednesday, CIRA Chief Executive Officer(CEO ) Engineer Gerald Khonje said all clients and procuring entities will be required to incorporate Infrastructure Technical Audits into their project governance frameworks.
Khonje cautioned that the authority will enforce compliance through directives, penalties, and, where necessary, the suspension of projects that fail to meet the requirements of the Construction Industry Act of 2025.
He described 2026 as an ‘execution year’ emphasizing the need for the construction industry to demonstrate improved performance, professionalism, and integrity.
Khonje said the authority will make its processes user-friendly to ensure that obtaining a licence is easy for compliant companies.
He added that, as a regulator, CIRA has automated its processes, making it easier for companies to obtain certificates as long as they comply with the set regulations.
“We have developed a Construction Industry Capacity Development Programme, which is going to be integrated into all projects. We are therefore calling upon all stakeholders to ensure that, when designing a project, they incorporate a capacity-building element so that by the end of the project, the country retains the necessary skills and capacity,” said Khonje.
He also noted that CIRA will be conducting technical audits on infrastructure projects aimed at assessing compliance with standards and regulations.
CIRA was established under the Construction Industry Act of 2025 and is mandated to regulate, promote, and develop Malawi’s construction sector at the national level.