Challenges of Decentralization in Malawi

This study investigated the challenges of decentralization in Malawi with emphasis on Lilongwe City Assembly. The objectives were to identify the constraints of decentralization in Malawi, as well as recommend ways to improve the decentralization process. The study targeted civil servants, local authority employees and citizens. It made use of secondary data and primary data collected through a survey. The findings of the study showed that despite introducing decentralization with good intentions like empowering local authorities and improving participation of the citizenry, cost cutting and improving local economic development, the process in Malawi has not been very successful. A number of constraints were identified which include reluctance by the central government to relinquish some powers and responsibility, inadequate funding, lack of human and technical capacity on the part of the local authorities themselves as well as faltering and diminishing political zeal and enthusiasm of the central government that existed at the implementation stage. The study recommends full devolution of functions by the central government, a review of revenue bases for the local assemblies in order to improve revenue collection and enhance local citizen participation so that their priorities are taken into account. Lastly the centre should continuously support the local assemblies, financially and technically, until they can ably manage the assemblies. It is recommended that the government continues to support capacity building and give assistance to assemblies that do not have strong resource endowments and revenue bases.