Suleman Chitera 
By Suleman Chitera
Lilongwe is set to introduce its first formal, city-wide public bus system, with the Lilongwe City Council announcing plans to establish Lilongwe Electric Transit Ltd (LETL), a company that will operate electric buses across the capital.
The planned public transport system is expected to transform how residents travel around Lilongwe by introducing scheduled routes, digital fare payments, dedicated bus depots and real-time monitoring.
The announcement follows the Lilongwe City Council’s participation in the International Transport Summit in Moscow in August 2026, where council officials studied modern urban transport systems focused on clean, efficient and reliable public transportation.
Lilongwe City Council Chief Executive Officer Clement Stambuli said the experience in Moscow convinced the council that the capital needs a properly coordinated public transport system.
“We came back from Moscow inspired and convinced of one thing: Lilongwe deserves a public transport system that works for its people. This is our moment to build it right, from the ground up — clean, reliable, and for everyone,” Stambuli said.
LETL to introduce electric buses in Lilongwe
Currently, Lilongwe does not have a formal public bus service operated by the city council.
Residents largely depend on fragmented private transport options, with concerns over reliability, affordability and rising fares linked to increases in fuel prices.
The council says the absence of a coordinated public transport system has created daily challenges for students, workers, mothers, business owners and other residents who depend on public transportation.
Under Phase One of the LETL project, the council plans to introduce electric buses supported by dedicated infrastructure and technology.
The planned system will include:
- Dedicated electric-bus charging infrastructure and depots
- A central Command and Control Centre for real-time tracking and safety monitoring
- Scheduled routes and fixed timetables
- Digital fare payments using smart cards and mobile money
- Professionally trained drivers and staff
- Preventive maintenance systems designed to maximize bus availability
Stambuli said the project is intended to be more than simply putting new buses on Lilongwe’s roads.
“This is not just about new buses. This is about a new way of moving,” he said.
Electric buses expected to reduce pollution
According to the council, the introduction of electric buses will help reduce noise and air pollution in Lilongwe while also creating employment opportunities for drivers, technicians and other transport-sector workers.
The project could also reduce the city’s dependence on imported fuel by shifting part of public transportation from conventional fuel-powered vehicles to electric mobility.
The council expects the system to improve access to schools, hospitals, markets and economic opportunities, particularly for residents who depend heavily on public transport.
Lilongwe seeks investors and technical partners
The city council says it cannot deliver the project alone and is engaging financial institutions to secure investment for the planned transport system.
It is also working with technical partners and global cities, including Moscow, for expertise, training and technology transfer.
The council is expected to coordinate with energy providers, regulators and community leaders as planning for the electric public transport system progresses.
Under the proposed operating model, LETL will combine a public-service mandate with professional management.
Revenue is expected to come from passenger fares, advertising and a service agreement with the Lilongwe City Council, which would help ensure that routes continue to serve the public interest.
Rollout timeline yet to be announced
Despite the announcement, the council has not yet provided a specific date for when the first electric buses will begin operating.
Stambuli acknowledged that the project remains under development but expressed confidence that it can be delivered through cooperation between the council, its partners and Lilongwe residents.
“We are still a work in progress. But with God’s guidance, with our partners, and with you the residents of our city, we will build this together. One route, one bus, one day at a time,” he said.
The Lilongwe City Council said it will announce the rollout timelines for the electric public bus system after further consultations and technical planning.
Why this matters
If implemented as planned, the LETL project could mark a major shift in public transportation in Lilongwe, replacing the city’s fragmented transport arrangements with a coordinated system based on scheduled routes, digital payments, electric buses and centralized monitoring.
For thousands of residents who rely on public transport every day, the success of the project could determine whether Lilongwe finally gets the reliable, affordable and modern city bus service it has long lacked.
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