Malawi is a small land-locked country in southern Africa. It is bordered by Tanzania to the east and north, by Zambia to the west and by Mozambique to the south and east. Its population of over 12 million people live predominately in rural areas and rely on smallholder agriculture and fishing for family livelihoods.

Malawi is a young democracy. Following independence from Britain in 1964, the country was ruled for 30 years by the autocrat, Dr Hastings Banda. Its first multi-party elections were held in 1994.  Its current President, Mr Bingu Mutharika, who was elected following the presidential and parliamentary elections in 2004, is both chief of state and head of government. Since this time, his Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has formed a minority government.

Though his tenure has been characterised by efforts to stabilise the economy, to improve food security in rural areas and to address endemic poverty, the disputes between President Mutharika and parliament which led to the suspension of the parliament are a cause of international concern. The next presidential and general elections are scheduled for May 2009.

Development needs

Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the world – ranked 164 out of 177 countries in the 2007/8 Human Development Index (HDI). It has experienced severe food shortages and famine on a number of occasions since 2002 – because of the failure to produce enough food, following adverse weather events. Its prospects for future economic growth are constrained by a high reliance on agriculture, poor infrastructure, a high prevalence of HIV/AIDS, high rates of population growth and a high susceptibility to both drought and flooding. 

Progress in efforts to reduce poverty and advance national development will depend on increasing available resources through both economic growth and aid; on strengthening national policies and institutions for improved delivery of services, and on protecting those most vulnerable to the consequences of food shortages and poor agricultural productivity. The government has recently approved the Malawi Growth and Development Strategy

In 2007 approximately 50% of the national budget (amounting to around US$500 million) was financed by multilateral and bilateral donors. These include the EU, UK, Ireland Germany, Norway, Canada and Japan, in addition to the World Bank and United Nations agencies.

Irish cooperation with Malawi

Following the food-security crisis in 2002, the Irish Government, through Irish Aid in the Department of Foreign Affairs, has funded programmes of humanitarian assistance and of support for the strengthening of Malawian Civil Society Organisations. This funding has amounted to approximately € 3 million per year and is largely focused on responding to food crises and strengthening democracy.

These funds are additional to programmes in Malawi which are implemented by Irish Non Governmental Organisations such as Trócaire, Self Help, Goal, and Concern. In addition, several Irish missionary congregations are making a significant contribution to the development of education and health services in Malawi.

Following the commitment in the White Paper on Irish Aid to commence two new programme countries in Africa, the Irish Government approved the opening of a new Embassy and the establishment of a bilateral aid programme in Malawi in 2007. The Embassy of Ireland in Lilongwe opened in November 2007. 

The opening of a new Embassy of Ireland in Malawi in 2007 marks a significant deepening of relations between the two countries.  In 2008, a five-year programme of development cooperation will be agreed. This will involve the commitment of significant levels of funding by Ireland in support of efforts by the Malawi government to advance national development and achieve the Millennium Development Goals.