A Short History of Malawi — and What’s New

When you visit Malawi, you're walking through a land with deep roots and dramatic twists — from empires, to colonial rule, to modern democracy. And right now, the country is turning a new page — we’ve just voted in a new president, marking another chapter in Malawi’s story. Here's a short history of Malawi:

The History From the Maravi Empire to Colonial Times

Malawi’s name likely comes from the Maravi Empire, a powerful Bantu state that spread around the 16th century across parts of modern-day Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia. Before Maravi, earlier peoples — including those we sometimes call Akafula or pre-Bantu groups — lived along the shores of what is now Lake Malawi.

In the 19th century, Malawi felt the winds of change. The Ngoni migrations swept through, and Yao and Swahili traders came into the mix, bringing influence, trade, and Islam to parts of the region. Meanwhile, European explorers and missionaries began arriving — most famously David Livingstone, who first saw Lake Malawi (then “Lake Nyasa”) in 1859.

By the late 19th century, British colonial interests had taken hold. The lands were named the British Central Africa Protectorate, and later renamed Nyasaland. From 1953 to 1963, Nyasaland was part of the short-lived Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland.

Independence and Modern Struggles

In 1964, Nyasaland became independent Malawi, with Hastings Banda as its first leader. For decades after independence, Malawi saw one-party rule, economic challenges and evolving political movements.

In the 1990s, Malawi transitioned to multiparty democracy. Since then, elections have become central to how Malawians see themselves — as citizens with a say in their future.

The Republic of Malawi flag

A New President Elected

In September 2025, Malawi went to the polls in a closely watched national election. Former President Peter Mutharika returned to power, winning around 56% of the vote, defeating the incumbent Lazarus Chakwera. Chakwera conceded defeat and called for a peaceful transition.

On 4 October 2025, Mutharika was sworn in as president in Blantyre, marking his return to leadership after his earlier term from 2014 - 2020.

Travelling in Malawi

For travellers, understanding Malawi’s past and its current pulse helps you see more than just landscapes — you see resilience, identity, and possibility. The politics and leadership energy will influence infrastructure, safety, investment and community initiatives in the years ahead.

At Land & Lake Safaris, we believe travel should be grounded — not separate — from the society and stories you visit. We watch these changes closely because they shape the Malawi you’ll meet: its people, its energy, and its future.