Creative Industry Hope Rekindled as COSOMA Eyes Blantyre Cultural Centre Takeover

In a move that could breathe new life into Malawi’s struggling arts infrastructure, the government is seriously considering handing over the long-stalled rehabilitation project of Blantyre Cultural Centre (BCC) to the Copyright Society of Malawi (COSOMA).

The cultural landmark, once a vibrant hub for music, theatre, and arts—formerly known as the French Cultural Centre—has been idle for years due to incomplete renovation efforts and funding gaps.

Minister of Local Government, Unity, and Culture Richard Chimwendo Banda, who toured the site in Blantyre on Tuesday, acknowledged the dismal pace of progress and revealed that COSOMA had formally expressed interest in taking charge of the project to fast-track its completion.

“This facility has been idle for far too long, and artists have suffered because of it. COSOMA has come forward with a proposal to manage and complete the restoration on behalf of government. At ministry level, we support the idea. It now depends on the higher authorities to give it a green light,” said Chimwendo.

The proposed move signals a shift in strategy—from relying solely on central government resources to leveraging statutory bodies with a vested interest in the arts.

COSOMA Board Chairperson Chimwemwe Mhango described the potential takeover as a game-changer. “We are ready to mobilize resources and engage top-tier contractors to revive the centre and make it accessible to the creative community again,” he said.

Contractors say at least K200 million is required to finish the rehabilitation, which includes structural redesign and facility upgrades. Akhtar Qureshi from OPCO, the current contractor, confirmed that while the groundwork is partially done, more financial support is critical to bring the project to completion.

Once hailed as a cultural powerhouse in Malawi, the BCC has become a symbol of artistic neglect, with many creatives describing it as “dead” or “unusable.” However, COSOMA’s involvement could be the long-awaited lifeline the arts sector needs.

If approved, the initiative could open a new chapter not only for BCC but for the wider creative economy in Malawi.