Of What Significance Are Improved Main Roads in Malawi? Economic and Non-Economic Perspectives of Rural Communities from Karonga and Chitipa Districts

Abstract

Road transport is the predominant mode of transportation in developing countries and is the major driver of the socio-economic development of the countries.  However, little is known about the empirical evidence of the economic and non-economic impact of these roads to rural communities in Malawi.  The main aim of the study was to explore the economic and noneconomic perspectives of improved roads from the perspective of rural communities residing along the improved Karonga-Chitipa road.  The phenomenological qualitative approach and case study design were employed to identify both the economic and non-economic impacts of improved Karonga-Chitipa road from the perspective of rural communities dwelling along this road.   The study found out that improved Karonga-Chitipa road had an economic and non-economic impact on rural communities along the road.  The economic impact included intensification and extensification of forestry-based businesses, the growth of business in rural areas, and employment creation. The study found out that the improvement of the road had brought some positive non-economic impacts like improved mobility, access to social amenities and migration.  The study recommends further studies on mechanisms for sustaining the positive impacts on the well-being of the rural communities.

Keywords: Economic impact, non-economic impact, improved Karonga-Chitipa road, livelihood, rural communities, China, Malawi