2025 in Malawi
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| See also: | Other events of 2025 History of Malawi | ||||
This article lists events from the year 2025 in Malawi.
Incumbents
- President: Lazarus Chakwera (until 4 October); Peter Mutharika (since 4 October)
- Vice-President: Michael Usi (until 4 October); Jane Ansah (since 4 October)
Events
March
- 13 March – Malawi announces the withdrawal of its military contingent from the Southern African Development Community peacekeeping mission to the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.[1]
May
- 2 May – Welcome to Maula Prison movie was released and screened at the Bingu International Convention Centre in Lilongwe.
- 2–4 May – The Zomba City Festival and Art in the Park are held in Zomba.[2]
- 16 May – The World Bank approves a US$350 million grant for the Mpatamanga Hydropower Storage Project, aimed at doubling Malawi’s hydropower capacity.[3]
- 23–25 May – The Pakhonde Ethno-Music Festival takes place at Nkhata Bay.[4]
June
- 26 June – Peaceful protests take place in Lilongwe, Blantyre, Mangochi and Mzuzu by the group "Citizens for Credible Elections" demanding the resignation of senior MEC officials. Human rights defender Sylvester Namiwa is attacked during the protest in Lilongwe.[5]
July
- 11 July – Mount Mulanje is designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.[6]
August
- 28 August – The Ministry of Health warns that Malawi may run out of tuberculosis (TB) drugs by the end of September due to supply shortages.[7]
September
- 16 September – 2025 Malawian general election: Incumbent president Lazarus Chakwera loses reelection to his predecessor, Peter Mutharika, who wins more than 56% of the vote.[8]
October
- 3–5 October – The Khulubvi Arts and Cultural Festival is held in Nsanje District.[9]
- 4 October – Peter Mutharika is sworn in as Malawi’s seventh president at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.[10]
- 5 October – President Mutharika appoints a partial cabinet and several senior government officials, including the Second Vice President and the Defence Chief.[11]
- 24 October – The Ministry of Education, through the Malawi Institute of Education, launches a new National Curriculum Framework replacing the Outcome-Based Curriculum with a Competency-Based Curriculum focused on practical skills, creativity, and critical thinking. The reform introduces a 1–6–6–3 structure and supports the Malawi 2063 vision.[12]
- 29 October – The National Assembly elects Sameer Suleman as Speaker, Victor Musowa as First Deputy Speaker and Esther Jolobala as Second Deputy Speaker in a leadership vote of the new parliamentary term.[13][14]
December
- 3 December – Former Secretary to the President and Cabinet Colleen Zamba is arrested at Kamuzu International Airport, Lilongwe, as she attempts to leave the country; she is taken to Lingadzi Police Station for questioning.[15]
- 13 December – Thandie Chisi is crowned Miss Malawi at a pageant held in Lilongwe.[16][17]
- 13 December – The Maso Awards, recognising achievements in music, arts and film, are held in Lilongwe, with Patience Namadingo and Joe Ikon among the major winners.[18]
- 16 December – US President Donald Trump issues a proclamation imposing partial travel restrictions on Malawian nationals travelling to the United States.[19]
- 19 December – The Film Association of Malawi (FAMA) holds its annual film awards in Lilongwe, with the movie Welcome to Maula Prison winning multiple honours and several of its actors and crew among the major winners.
Holidays
- 1 January – New Year's Day
- 15 January – John Chilembwe Day
- 3 March – Martyrs' Day
- 30 March – Eid al-Fitr
- 18 April – Good Friday
- 21 April – Easter Monday
- 1 May – Labour Day
- 14 May – President Kamuzu Banda's Birthday
- 6 July – Independence Day
- 15 October – Mother's Day
- 25 December – Christmas Day
- 26 December – Boxing Day
Deaths
- 2 December – Essau Kanyenda, 43, footballer (Jomo Cosmos, Polokwane City, national team).[22]
References
- ^ Mutsaka, Farai (13 March 2025). "South Africa, Tanzania and Malawi will withdraw troops from conflict-torn eastern Congo". AP News. Retrieved 14 March 2025.
- ^ Malawi Tourism – Annual events calendar
- ^ Reuters – World Bank approves $350 million grant for Malawi hydropower project (16 May 2025)
- ^ Malawi Tourism – Annual events calendar
- ^ Southern Defenders – Violent physical attacks against HRD Sylvester Namiwa during a peaceful protest (June 2025)
- ^ "UNESCO adds Cameroon, Malawi sites to heritage list". France 24. July 11, 2025.
- ^ The Guardian – Malawi faces critical shortage of tuberculosis drugs (28 August 2025)
- ^ "Malawi President Chakwera concedes defeat in election, with former leader on course for victory". AP News. Retrieved 24 September 2025.
- ^ Gela, Martin (2025-09-26). "Khulubvi Festival Oct 3". Nation Online. Retrieved 2025-10-04.
- ^ "Peter Mutharika is sworn in as Malawi president in political comeback at the age of 85". AP News. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
- ^ "Malawian President Mutharika announces partial lineup of new Cabient". english.news.cn. Retrieved 2025-10-07.
- ^ "Highlights Of The National Curriculum Framework And Progress Of Curriculum Review". Malawi Institute of Education. Retrieved 2025-10-27.
- ^ "New Speaker of Parliament Sameer Suleman pledges to uphold constitution and serve people better". Retrieved 2025-10-30.
- ^ Munthali, Burnett (2025-10-29). "Victor Musowa elected First Deputy Speaker of Malawi's Parliament". Malawi 24. Retrieved 2025-10-30.
- ^ "FORMER CHIEF SECRETARY TO GOVT. COLLEEN ZAMBA ARRESTED". Shire Times. 2025-12-03. Retrieved 2025-12-04.
- ^ Mwale, Winston (2025-12-14). "Thandie Chisi Crowned Miss Malawi 2025". AfricaBrief. Retrieved 2025-12-14.
- ^ "Thandie Chisi Crowned Miss Malawi 2025". The Slice. 2025-12-14. Retrieved 2025-12-14.
- ^ Chingondo, Nohakhela Nathan (2025-12-13). "MASO Awards 2025: Full Winners List". The Slice. Retrieved 2025-12-14.
- ^ "Trump expands travel ban list to 39 countries". CNN. 17 December 2025. Retrieved 20 December 2025.
- ^ "Malawi Public Holidays 2025". Public Holidays Global. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
- ^ "Holidays and Observances in Malawi in 2025". Time and Date. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
- ^ "Former Polokwane City striker Kanyenda dies". Pan-Africa Football. Retrieved 2 December 2025.