Malawi
Profiled in Lilongwe · East Africa
The Warm Heart of Africa, defined by a freshwater lake the length of the country, tea-covered highlands and a gentle, low-rise capital.
Cost of living
What a month costs
Local prices are low, but foreign exchange shortages and fuel scarcity are recurring, and imported goods can vanish from shelves for weeks.
The scores
How it rates for a moving family
See and do
Top 10 in Lilongwe
- Lake Malawi National ParkUNESCO site protecting the lake's endemic cichlids.
- Mount MulanjeThe highest peak in central Africa, with hut-to-hut trekking.
- Zomba PlateauForested tableland with viewpoints over the Shire valley.
- Kamuzu MausoleumMemorial to Malawi's first president in central Lilongwe.
- Nkhotakota Wildlife ReserveSite of one of Africa's largest elephant translocations.
- LivingstoniaMission station on the escarpment above the northern lakeshore.
- Lilongwe Wildlife CentreSanctuary and rescue facility in the capital.
- Chongoni Rock ArtUNESCO-listed rock paintings in the central highlands.
Where to go
Weekend escapes
- Lake MalawiCape Maclear and Nkhata Bay on Africa's third-largest lake.
- Zomba PlateauCool escarpment above the old colonial capital.
- Liwonde National ParkElephant and hippo along the Shire River.
- Mount MulanjeGranite massif rising three thousand metres from tea estates.
- Nyika PlateauHigh rolling grassland with roan antelope in the far north.
Residency
Residence follows employment, business or the Temporary Employment Permit route. Malawi has no investor citizenship programme, and land held by foreigners is generally leasehold.
Tax
Personal rates are progressive to 35% and the corporate rate is 30%, with 16.5% VAT. Non-resident companies are taxed at 35%. There is no wealth or inheritance tax.
Curious what you would actually pay? See the Malawi tax profile: income, corporate, VAT and exit rules →
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