Leader of The People’s Revolution (TPR), Jani Grey Kasunda, has engaged China’s Hualan Group to explore potential partnerships in urban planning, housing and infrastructure development aimed at addressing Malawi’s growing urbanisation challenges.

According to a press release, Kasunda and his delegation visited Hualan Group on July 18, where they held discussions with the company’s Deputy General Manager, Chen Yu.

During the meeting, Chen highlighted Hualan Group’s expertise in urban and rural development, saying the company has implemented infrastructure projects across Southeast Asia and Africa and is capable of providing comprehensive infrastructure services in Malawi.

Kasunda outlined Malawi’s infrastructure needs, citing rapid urbanisation, a growing housing deficit and increasing demand for modern urban planning.

He expressed hope for cooperation with Hualan Group in areas such as municipal engineering, industrial parks and smart city development.

The presentation notes that Malawi requires an estimated 21,000 new housing units annually to meet current demand, while a large proportion of residents in Lilongwe and Blantyre continue to live in informal settlements.

It also highlights an acute shortage of student accommodation, with thousands of university students forced to seek often costly and inadequate housing off campus.

Kasunda proposed collaboration in smart city technologies, affordable housing, student accommodation, digital land administration and technical skills transfer.

He also identified opportunities for pilot projects, including model student hostels, affordable housing developments in secondary cities, smart city master planning and expanded use of digital land management systems.