| Country | Zambia |
|---|---|
| Province | Eastern Province |
| District | Chipata District |
| Unit pref | Imperial |
| Population as of | 2020 |
| Population total | 1939 |
| Time zone | CAT (UTC+2) |
| Coordinates | 13°45′2.34″S 32°47′45.22″E |
| Elevation | 1320 m |
| Climate | Cwa |
Mwami is a town in the Eastern Province of Zambia in Chipata District, at the eastern end of the Great East Road at the international border with Malawi. It has a border post through which most trade between Zambia and Malawi passes, close to the Malawian city of Mchinji.[1]
Location
Mwami is located approximately 22 kilometres (14 mi) southeast of the district and provincial capital at Chipata.[2] It is located approximately 581 kilometres (361 mi), east-north-east of Lusaka, the capital city of Zambia.[3] This is approximately 145 kilometres (90 mi), by road west-north-west of Lilongwe, Malawi's capital city.[4]
The geographical coordinates of the border post at Mwami are 13°45′2.34″S 32°47′45.22″E. (Latitude:-13.750650; Longitude:32.795894).
Mwami sits at an average elevation of 1,320 metres (4,331 ft) above mean sea level.[5]
The Chipata–Mchinji extension to the Sena railway passes within 5 km northeast of Mwami but does not have a station or border post, since border formalities are carried out in Chipata and Mchinji. However as of February 2026 the line was not being used.
One stop border crossing for road transport
The Malawi Revenue Authority with Zambian government agreement has built a one-stop road border crossing on the Malawian side of the border. It was built with US$5.8 million, borrowed from the African Development Bank.[6] This reflects the importance of the route as part of the Nacala Logistics corridor providing access for Zambia to the Mozambican port of Nacala, on the Indian Ocean coast.[7]
Population
The population of Mwami was estimated at 1,760 in 2015, of whom 1,560 were residents and 200 were transients. By 2023, the town's total population, including transients, is expected to have increased to 2,266, as illustrated in the table below.[7]
| Year | Residents | Transients | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 1,560[7] | 200[7] | 1,760 |
| 2016 | 1594 | 200 | 1,794 |
| 2017 | 1,629 | 200 | 1,829 |
| 2018 | 1,665 | 200 | 1,865 |
| 2019 | 1,702 | 200 | 1,902 |
| 2020 | 1,739 | 200 | 1,939 |
| 2021 | 1,777 | 200 | 1977 |
| 2022 | 1,816 | 200 | 2,016 |
| 2023 | 2,066 | 200 | 2,266[7] |
Water supply
A study carried out in 2015, observed that the town lacked a public piped water supply system and a public sewerage system. In addition, there were no public toilets in the town. The study determined that it would cost £300,735 to establish a public piped water and sewerage system in Mwami, Zambia.[7]
Health
Mwami Adventist Hospital, a 210-bed general hospital with an attached 50-bed extended care facility, owned and administered by the Adventist Church lies about 15 km south of the Border Post.[8]
See also
References
- ^ Malawi News Agency (28 May 2017). "Malawi Zambia signs bilateral agreement on Mwami/Mchinji boarder post". Lilongwe: Malawi News Agency. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
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- ^ Geoview.Info (24 May 2020). "Mwami populated place, Eastern, Zambia". Geoview.Info. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
- ^ Tikondane Vega (12 May 2020). "Construction of Mchinji One-Stop Border Post Takes Shape". Nyasa Times. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
- ^ Ian Banda (2 December 2015). "Chipata and Chanida Water Supply and Sanitation – Feasibility Study: Final Version". Pretoria, South Africa: Climate Resilient Infrastructure Development Facility (CRIDF). Retrieved 24 May 2020.
- ^ Adventist Yearbook (24 September 2019). "Details About Mwami Adventist Hospital, Mwami, Zambia". Silver Spring, Maryland, United States: Adventist Yearbook Organization. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
External links
- "Mwami Border Construction Works Impress Govt" As of 18 December 2019.