UNIMA Extends RFA Partnership Through Technical Review of Tollgate Power and Backup Systems
The University of Malawi (UNIMA), through the Department of Physics and Electronics in the School of Natural and Applied Sciences, is continuing its technical collaboration with the Roads Fund Administration (RFA) through an independent review of electrical power and backup systems for tollgate infrastructure.
The work builds on the Memorandum of Understanding signed by UNIMA and RFA on 10 July 2026, which provides a framework for collaboration in research, consultancy, technical advisory services, student innovation and capacity building, with an emphasis on applying local academic expertise to practical infrastructure challenges.
Tollgate technologies and the monitoring and design of solar backup systems were among the areas of collaboration highlighted at the signing ceremony.
The current technical assignment, whose primary purpose is to support RFA through an independent technical assessment of the proposed power and backup arrangements for new tollgates, is being undertaken by Dr Dackson Masiyano and Mr Amos Banda of the Department of Physics and Electronics.
As part of this assessment, the UNIMA technical team conducted field verification work at Kalinyeke and Chingeni Toll Plazas on 6 and 7 August 2026.
The site visits were meant to assess the present condition and performance of the existing power and backup systems, and to draw practical lessons that can inform the design of future tollgate infrastructure.
The exercise considers the tollgate power systems as complete operating environments, including solar photovoltaic, batteries, inverters, generators, electrical distribution, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) backup, protection arrangements and operational practices.
The exercise will also involve an independent examination of findings from an earlier technical assessment of the two sites.
The inspections are helping the UNIMA team identify where existing systems have performed well, where weaknesses have emerged, and which design, installation and operational practices should be strengthened in future projects.
The work also reinforces the importance of basing technical recommendations on measured operating data, verified system configuration and actual site experience, rather than equipment ratings or design assumptions alone.
Further monitoring is being considered to establish representative load profiles and energy requirements across major subsystems at both toll plazas.
This evidence will support more informed decisions on solar capacity, battery storage, generator integration, critical-load prioritisation and backup autonomy for both existing and future tollgate systems.
The work reflects the broader objective of the UNIMA–RFA partnership: combining academic expertise with operational experience to support evidence-based infrastructure planning and decision-making.
At the MoU signing ceremony about a month ago, UNIMA Vice-Chancellor Professor Samson Sajidu highlighted the partnership as a platform for applying university research, innovation and technical advisory capacity to practical industry challenges.
RFA Chief Executive Officer, Stewart Malata, also emphasised the value of combining academic expertise with practical infrastructure-management experience to support informed decision-making.
