By Suleman Chitera, Lilongwe, Malawi – July 24, 2025
The Malawi Coalition for Kabaza Association has launched a nationwide motorcycle registration campaign aimed at promoting road safety and ensuring compliance with traffic regulations among motorcycle taxi operators.
Speaking during the launch held in Lilongwe, the coalition’s chairperson Moses Mwalabu said the initiative follows the extension of the government’s registration grace period, now running until December 2025.
“This campaign is about more than just formalizing operations,” Mwalabu said. “It’s about protecting lives and helping Kabaza operators operate legally and safely on the roads.”
Running from now until March 2026, the campaign will be conducted in partnership with the Malawi Police Service (MPS), focusing on registering Kabaza motorcycles and sensitizing operators to key safety standards. These include carrying only one passenger per trip and ensuring that both the rider and passenger wear helmets.
Mwalabu stressed that promoting safety among the growing number of Kabaza operators was long overdue and that collaboration with law enforcement would help bridge the gap between informal transport and national road safety objectives.
Adding to the call for action, Road Safety Alert Foundation executive director Joel Jere noted that registration and adherence to safety measures could significantly reduce the frequency of road accidents involving motorcycles.
“We believe that with proper identification and safety training, Kabaza operators can improve their service delivery and reduce risks on the road,” Jere said.
Despite the growing reliance on Kabaza motorcycles for public transport in Malawi, the number of registered operators remains alarmingly low. Of an estimated two million Kabaza operators across the country, only 12,000 have been registered since the Road Traffic Directorate opened the registration window last year.
The coalition hopes that with intensified efforts and stakeholder collaboration, the campaign will drastically improve these figures and enhance road safety nationwide.
