The Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Ben Phiri, has commissioned the construction of two modern market facilities in Limbe, Blantyre, and Thyolo District in a move the government says will transform trade and give farmers direct access to markets.

The Limbe Modern Market will be constructed by Blithe Construction at a cost of K14.4 billion.

Meanwhile, a two-storey Rural Growth Centre will be built in Thyolo District by Fidelis Building Construction Limited at a cost of K15.3 billion.

Both facilities will feature 77 shops each to accommodate traders and small and medium enterprises (SMEs), as well as cold rooms specifically designed for storing fresh milk and meat.

The government says the cold rooms are a direct response to challenges faced by dairy and livestock farmers, who have for years struggled with post-harvest losses due to a lack of storage facilities.

Speaking after the commissioning ceremonies, Minister Ben Phiri urged Malawians to take full ownership of the projects. He stressed that protecting public infrastructure from vandalism is not just the responsibility of the government, but of every citizen.

“Safeguarding public infrastructure is essential for the country’s development,” Phiri said.

“If we want to see development prevail in Malawi, we must protect what is built for us.”

The minister added that the new markets are part of the government’s broader plan to decentralize economic opportunities and bring services closer to people in both urban and rural areas.

The cold rooms are expected to reduce spoilage of milk and meat, increase farmers’ incomes, and open up new market opportunities.

The two facilities will provide a combined total of 154 shops, creating space for more vendors and helping to formalize trade.

The Rural Growth Centre in Thyolo is expected to serve as a trade hub, stimulating the local economy. Construction of both projects is also expected to create jobs for local communities during and after completion.

The commissioning comes at a time when the government is pushing to modernize markets across the country under various development programmes aimed at boosting trade, food security, and rural transformation.