Malawi: The warm heart of Africa
Learn more about Malawi, affectionately known as “the warm heart of Africa”.
Quick facts
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Population: 20,405,317 (2022)
Capital city: Lilongwe Official language: English Recognised regional languages: Chichewa, Chitumbuka, Chiyao, Chitonga, Chisena, Chilomwe, Chingonde, Chilambya Form of government: Presidential republic Main economic activities: agriculture, fishing Climate: Tropical, with a dry season from May-October and a wet season from November-April UN Human Development Index rating: 172 out of 193 (UNDP) Population reliant on agriculture: >80% Average annual soil loss: 29 tonnes per hectare (FAO) |
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About Malawi
Malawi is a landlocked country in southeastern Africa. The area has been settled by groups of Bantu peoples since the 10th century. By the 16th century, Bantu tribes had established the venerable Maravi kingdom, which spanned across modern-day Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia. Rule of the Maravi kingdom was largely unified under single leaders for the first couple of centuries, though by the 18th and 19th centuries the kingdom fragmented as individual clans began to govern more autonomously. In the mid-19th century British colonists identified the area for European settlement, and by 1891 the area became a British protectorate, then known as Nyasaland. British rule continued until Malawi gained independence on 6 July 1964, when the modern-day Republic of Malawi was established.
Photo credit: Alan Dixon
Malawi boasts unparalleled natural beauty in its landscapes alongside plant and animal life. The country is home to five national parks and four wildlife and game reserves. Lake Malawi hosts one of the world’s richest varieties of lake fish species, with over 800 species of fishes calling Lake Malawi home! At the majestic Majete Wildlife Reserve, situated on Nyika Plateau, visitors can observe the park’s 12,000+ wildlife residents and see all the way to neighbouring Tanzania from Nganda Hill.
Photo credit: Alan Dixon
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Photo credit: Alan Dixon
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Challenges
Malawi faces challenges as one of the world’s least developed countries, ranking 172 out of 193 countries in the United Nations Human Development Report. More than six out of every 10 people live in multidimensional poverty, indicating deprivations in multiple areas such as access to food and water, education, and basic infrastructure, in addition to low incomes. Over 80% of the population are smallholder farmers who rely on subsistence-level rain-fed agriculture for their livelihoods. Subsistence-level agriculture means that farmers only produce enough crops to feed themselves and their families at best. With no surplus to sell for income generation, subsistence-level agriculture contributes to an ongoing poverty cycle that is very challenging to break.
The country has also been particularly devastated by the effects of climate change. Extreme weather events such as floods and drought have been increasing in severity and frequency. These disasters have claimed hundreds of lives, displaced hundreds of thousands of people, and led to recurring food crises affecting the entire country. Climate change is exacerbating Malawi’s already-poor soil health, an especially challenging threat to a population that is so reliant on agriculture. Although the government provides support to smallholder farmers through frontline agricultural staff, capacity is unable to meet farmer demand due to Malawi’s low level of development and minimal economic resources.
To deliver lasting impact, solutions to these challenges must address the roots of problems rather than provide temporary fixes. These solutions must be developed with regular, direct input and involvement from local populations that are focused around empowering communities to establish self-sustaining livelihoods. Tiyeni’s mission to end food poverty and to improve water security for smallholder farmers across Malawi is grounded in this ethos. Learn more about the issues and how Tiyeni is transforming lives through climate-smart agriculture by clicking the links below.
The country has also been particularly devastated by the effects of climate change. Extreme weather events such as floods and drought have been increasing in severity and frequency. These disasters have claimed hundreds of lives, displaced hundreds of thousands of people, and led to recurring food crises affecting the entire country. Climate change is exacerbating Malawi’s already-poor soil health, an especially challenging threat to a population that is so reliant on agriculture. Although the government provides support to smallholder farmers through frontline agricultural staff, capacity is unable to meet farmer demand due to Malawi’s low level of development and minimal economic resources.
To deliver lasting impact, solutions to these challenges must address the roots of problems rather than provide temporary fixes. These solutions must be developed with regular, direct input and involvement from local populations that are focused around empowering communities to establish self-sustaining livelihoods. Tiyeni’s mission to end food poverty and to improve water security for smallholder farmers across Malawi is grounded in this ethos. Learn more about the issues and how Tiyeni is transforming lives through climate-smart agriculture by clicking the links below.
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