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Malawi, officially the Republic of Malawi, is a landlocked country in Southeast Africa. Zambia borders it to the west, and Tanzania to the north and northeast, while Mozambique borders it to the east, south, and southwest. Malawi spans over 118,484 km2 (45,747 sq mi) and has a population of 22,224,282 (as of July 2025). Lilongwe is its capital and largest city.

The name Malawi means “flames” in Chichewa and Chitumbuka. Malawi was chosen by Malawi’s first president, Hastings Banda, after the country gained independence from Great Britain in 1964.

Missionary and explorer David Livingstone reached Lake Malawi (then Lake Nyasa) in 1859 and identified the Shire Highlands south of the lake as an area suitable for European settlement. As a result of Livingstone’s visit, several Anglican and Presbyterian missions were established in the area in the 1860s and 1870s. The African Lakes Company Limited was established in 1878 to set up trade and transport; a small mission and trading settlement were established at Blantyre in 1876, and a British consul took up residence there in 1883. The Portuguese government was also interested in the area, so, to prevent Portuguese occupation, the British government sent Harry Johnston as consul with instructions to make treaties with local rulers beyond Portuguese jurisdiction.

In 1889, a British protectorate was proclaimed over the Shire Highlands, which was extended in 1891 to include the whole of present-day Malawi as the British Central Africa Protectorate.

Government surveys indicate that 87% of the country is Christian, with a minority of 11.6% Muslim. The largest Christian groups are the Roman Catholic Church, of which 19% of Malawians are adherents, and the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian, to which 18% belong. Other Protestant denominations include the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Malawi, Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Malawi, Anglicans, Baptists, evangelicals, Seventh-day Adventists, and Lutherans.

Most Muslims are Sunni, belonging to either the Qadriya or Sukkutu groups. Other religious groups include Jehovah’s Witnesses (over 100,000), The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (over 2,000 members), Rastafari, Hindus, and Baháʼís (0.2%). Atheists make up around 4% of the population, although the number may include people who practice traditional African religions that do not have any gods.

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District 04 Malawi

District 04  Malawi: African United Methodist, Life in Jesus Pentecostal Church, Prophet J Elisha Ministries, Divine Light Ministries

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