The Malawi Environmental Protection Authority (MEPA) has approved the Mulalo Fertiliser Factory Project after the developers addressed several environmental and safety concerns raised during the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment process.
Speaking before the joint parliamentary committee, MEPA Director General Dr. Wilfred Kadewa said the initial assessment identified several risks associated with the project, including the production of acidic residues, contaminated sludge, phospho-gypsum and wastewater, which could affect the environment, workers and surrounding communities if not properly managed.
Kadewa said MEPA required the developers to introduce mitigation measures to ensure hazardous materials are treated and prevented from entering the environment.
He said the authority also raised concerns over heavy metals such as lead and cadmium, which can pose health risks.
Lead exposure, especially among children, can affect brain development and intelligence levels, while cadmium can affect cardiovascular health.
MEPA further noted that the initial project design lacked adequate emergency preparedness measures, including evacuation routes, assembly points and firefighting equipment required to protect workers in case of emergencies.
The authority also raised concerns over the project’s proximity to Kang’ona River, saying proper wastewater management would be necessary to protect aquatic life and communities downstream that rely on the river for household and agricultural activities.
On land ownership, MEPA said the matter remains unresolved because the developers provided documents involving communities and group village headmen, but had not yet obtained certification from the Ministry of Lands.
Kadewa said following the resubmission of the project documents and assessments conducted on June 26 and July 14, the project had met the requirements for approval.
He said MEPA used a colour rating system to assess compliance, where green represents compliance or low risk, amber indicates areas requiring further attention, and red represents serious compliance concerns.
According to MEPA, mitigation measures improved from red to amber after the developers presented plans for wastewater treatment, including the use of caustic soda and other alkaline materials to reduce acidity before wastewater is released into the environment.
The environmental management plan and risk assessment were also rated amber, with MEPA saying it will continue monitoring issues such as air quality, chimney design, chimney height and prevailing wind direction to protect nearby communities.
However, legal compliance remains a concern after MEPA found that construction of the project started before environmental approval was granted.
Kadewa said construction began in September 2025 and continued despite the lack of approval, which was a breach of legal requirements.
He said despite the outstanding issues, the overall environmental assessment of the project has been rated green, meaning it meets statutory requirements, while MEPA will continue monitoring the project throughout its lifespan.
