Having financial backing from the African Export-Import Bank (Afriexim bank) the Malawi Government, planned to construct two industrial parks in Lilongwe and Blantyre. However, communities in Blantyre are resisting the development, out of concern for land.

It has been confirmed that 402 hectares will be required for the industrial park in Blantyre and settlers of this planned space are refusing to move. Group village head Jameson said no one is ready to move out of the area. Senior Chief Kapeni attributed what he called ‘external forces’ to the people’s resistance.

In similar news, last year, settlers in Chitipa closed down a mine after the mining company did not fulfill the promises made to the surrounding communities.