Malawi Country Report
Malawi is a landlocked developing country located in Southeast Africa. Lack of natural resources, underdeveloped infrastructure, high corruption and unemployment have long been the main obstacles to the development of the country and it is still one of the poorest countries in the world. A culture of personal conflict around political leaders also undermines the government’s ability to address long-term socio-economic problems. Although it has historically been a major recipient of foreign development aid, concerns about governance and corruption have led to a decline in international aid to Malawi in the past few years, exacerbating the country’s economic woes.
The overall crime rate is relatively low by regional standards, with opportunistic street crime resulting from a lack of legal employment opportunities in major urban centers becoming the main threat to foreign tourists. However, many rural areas remain at risk of vigilante violence stemming from local superstitions and witchcraft beliefs. Land trips can also be dangerous due to the poor condition of the country’s road network, careless driving by some local road users, and worsening driving conditions during the rainy season.
Last updated: April 11, 2022
Security
Opportunistic street crime is a major threat to foreigners in Malawi, especially in urban and lakeside tourist areas such as Blantyre, Lilongwe, and Mezu. Armed carjacking occurs in urban and rural areas, but is a particular threat in Lilongwe and Blantyre. Recently residential burglaries have also increased in Lilongwe, Blantyre, and Limbe. The risk of exposure to criminal activity increases significantly after dark, and many foreign travelers limit pedestrian movement after nightfall.
Malawi’s southern border areas are likely to be affected by armed conflict in Mozambique. Malawi does not face any specific external threats. Popular mobilization occurs intermittently and can turn violent in urban and rural areas.
In recent years, there have been several incidents of superstitious violence in several other areas in the south of the country, including the Marange Mountain region and Blantyre. Although most of these attacks have been directed against members of the local community, foreign tourists have also been victims in many cases.
Last updated: April 27, 2022
Infrastructure
There are no major safety concerns regarding air travel in this country.
Overland travel in Malawi poses significant risks due to poor road conditions and reckless driving by some local road users.
Outside of Lilongwe and Blantyre, public infrastructure is very limited, unreliable power supply and limited mobile communication networks are major obstacles to economic development.
Last updated: April 27, 2022
Environment
Malawi has a subtropical climate, with a cool and dry winter from May to August, a hot season from September to October, and a hot and rainy season from November to April. Flooding is common during the rainy season and can cause significant disruption to land travel in some parts of the country, potentially displacing thousands of people in affected low-lying areas. Malawi is also located in a region of high seismic activity, with relatively frequent low to moderate earthquakes. Although these rarely cause significant damage or loss of life, even earthquakes stronger than magnitude 6 and above occasionally occur and can cause widespread damage in the affected area. The region on the Mozambique border has historically been plagued by unexploded ordnance and landmine contamination, but much of this equipment has been removed in recent years.
Last updated: March 15, 2022
Health and Medical
Food-borne illnesses and gastric intestinal infections are relatively common among travelers to Malawi and outbreaks of cholera occur with some frequency in the country, particularly in areas around the borders with Tanzania and Mozambique. Malaria is also widespread in the country and prophylaxis is recommended for all travelers. Malawi also has one of the highest HIV infection rates in the world and HIV/AIDS is a major public health concern in the country. The availability of medical facilities is limited but several hospitals are available in Lilongwe and Blantyre. However, medical facilities generally suffer from shortages of basic supplies and care is often rudimentary, with evacuation to a country with more advanced facilities often being required in the case of serious injury or illness. Many over-the-counter drugs can be found at pharmacies and clinics in Lilongwe and Blantyre but many prescription pharmaceuticals are unavailable. Tap water throughout the country is considered unpotable, with some water sources in rural areas presenting a serious health risk.
Last update: February 24, 2022
Political
Malawi has enjoyed a period of political stability since Lazarus Chakura assumed the presidency in June 2020, but the unstable political situation and difficult socio-economic conditions are holding back political stability. However, tensions within the Ten Alliance, which is made up of a coalition of nine political parties, will almost certainly continue and worsen amid differing views in the former opposition coalition. Furthermore, while the Chakura government played an important role in electing the Tens Chakura Alliance, few people were appointed from the northern region and the cabinet has been criticized for its regional imbalance. This can pose challenges to the alliance’s ability to function as a cohesive group and avoid internal disputes. But the coalition is unlikely to collapse by 2021.
Corruption is a major problem in the public and private sectors in Malawi, which permeates many levels of the civil service and society in general and has a significant negative impact on the country’s business environment. However, despite limited resources and heavy cases, the rule of law is generally seen as relatively strong in the country.
Last updated: April 14, 2022
