World Factbook
Malawi
Dziko la Malawi
Last updated: 2026-03-28 (today)
Flag
description: three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and green, with a rising red sun centered on the black band meaning: black stands for ethnic groups, red for the blood shed in the struggle for freedom, and green for nature; the sun represents the hope of freedom for the continent of Africa
Capital
name
Lilongwe
etymology
named after the Lilongwe River that flows through the city; the origin of the river's name is unclear
time difference
UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
13 58 S, 33 47 E
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Citizenship
citizenship by birth
no
citizenship by descent only
at least one parent must be a citizen of Malawi
dual citizenship recognized
no
residency requirement for naturalization
7 years
Constitution
history
previous 1953 (pre-independence), 1964, 1966; latest drafted January to May 1994, approved 16 May 1994, entered into force 18 May 1995
amendment process
proposed by the National Assembly; passage of amendments affecting constitutional articles, including the sovereignty and territory of the state, fundamental constitutional principles, human rights, voting rights, and the judiciary, requires majority approval in a referendum and majority approval by the Assembly; passage of other amendments requires at least two-thirds majority vote of the Assembly
Country name
former
British Central African Protectorate, Nyasaland Protectorate, Nyasaland
etymology
named for the Maravi people who inhabited the area since the 14th century; the word maravi means "flames"
local long form
Dziko la Malawi
local short form
Malawi
conventional long form
Republic of Malawi
conventional short form
Malawi
Independence
6 July 1964 (from the UK)
Legal system
mixed system of English common law and customary law; Supreme Court of Appeal reviews legislative acts
Government type
presidential republic
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
Supreme Court of Appeal (consists of the chief justice and at least 3 judges)
subordinate courts
High Court; magistrate courts; Industrial Relations Court; district and city traditional or local courts
judge selection and term of office
Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the president and confirmed by the National Assembly; other judges appointed by the president on the recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission, which regulates judicial officers; judges serve until age 65
Executive branch
note
note: the president is both chief of state and head of government
cabinet
Cabinet named by the president
chief of state
President Peter MUTHARIKA (since 4 October 2025)
election results
2025: Peter MUTHARIKA elected president; percent of vote- Peter MUTHARIKA (DPP) 56.8%, Lazarus CHAKWERA (MCP) 33.0%, Dalitso KABAMBE (UTM) 3.95, Atupele MULUZI (UDF) 1.92%, Joyce BANDA (PP) 1.61%, other 2.72% 2020: Lazarus CHAKWERA elected president; Lazarus CHAKWERA (MCP) 59.3%, Peter Mutharika (DPP) 39.9%, other 0.8%
head of government
President Peter MUTHARIKA (since 4 October 2025)
most recent election date
September 2030
election/appointment process
president directly elected by simple-majority popular vote for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term)
expected date of next election
September 2030
National holiday
Independence Day, 6 July (1964)
note: also called Republic Day since 6 July 1966
National color(s)
black, red, green
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites
3 (2 cultural, 1 natural)
selected World Heritage Site locales
Lake Malawi National Park (n); Chongoni Rock-Art Area (c); Mount Mulanje Cultural Landscape (c)
Political parties
Democratic Progressive Party or DPP Malawi Congress Party or MCP People's Party or PP United Democratic Front or UDF United Transformation Movement or UTM
Legislative branch
term in office
5 years
number of seats
229 (all directly elected)
electoral system
plurality/majority
legislature name
National Assembly
scope of elections
full renewal
legislative structure
unicameral
most recent election date
9/16/2025
expected date of next election
September 2025
percentage of women in chamber
21.4%
parties elected and seats per party
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) (78); Malawi Congress Party (MCP) (52); Independents (73); Other (21)
National anthem(s)
title
"Mulungu dalitsa Malawi" (O God, Bless Our Land of Malawi)
history
adopted 1964
lyrics/music
Michael-Fredrick Paul SAUKA
National symbol(s)
lion
Administrative divisions
28 districts; Balaka, Blantyre, Chikwawa, Chiradzulu, Chitipa, Dedza, Dowa, Karonga, Kasungu, Likoma, Lilongwe, Machinga, Mangochi, Mchinji, Mulanje, Mwanza, Mzimba, Neno, Ntcheu, Nkhata Bay, Nkhotakota, Nsanje, Ntchisi, Phalombe, Rumphi, Salima, Thyolo, Zomba
Diplomatic representation in the US
chancery
2408 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone
[1] (202) 451- 0409
chief of mission
Ambassador Esme Jynet CHOMBO (since 19 April 2022)
email address and website
malawidc@aol.com Home | Malawi Embassy USA
Diplomatic representation from the US
FAX
[265] (0) 177-0471
embassy
16 Jomo Kenyatta Road, Lilongwe 3
telephone
[265] (0) 177-3166
mailing address
2280 Lilongwe Place, Washington DC 20521-2280
chief of mission
Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Jonathan FISCHER (since 8 August 2025)
email address and website
LilongweConsular@state.gov https://mw.usembassy.gov/
International organization participation
ACP, AfDB, AU, C, CD, COMESA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINURSO, MONUSCO, NAM, OPCW, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNHRC, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
International law organization participation
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction