More information about Malawi is available on the Malawi Page and from other Department of State publications and other sources listed at the end of this fact sheet.
U.S.-MALAWI RELATIONS
The United States established diplomatic relations with Malawi in 1964, following its full independence from the United Kingdom. Malawi saw one-party rule from 1966 to 1994. The transition from a one-party state to a multi-party democracy in 1994 strengthened bilateral relations between the United States and Malawi. The two countries have worked together to advance health, education, agriculture, energy, and environmental projects. In 2012, the U.S. reinstated the Millennium Challenge Corporation Compact partnership with Malawi following a number of reforms enacted by the Government of Malawi.
U.S. and Malawian views on the necessity of economic and political stability in southern Africa generally coincide. Through an assessment of its own national interests and foreign policy objectives, Malawi advocates peaceful solutions to the region's problems through negotiation. The country works to achieve these objectives in a variety of regional and international forums. The United States and Malawi engage in military-to-military programs. Malawi was the first southern African nation to receive peacekeeping training under the U.S.-sponsored African Crisis Response Force Initiative and has joined its successor, the Africa Contingency Operations Training and Assistance program.
U.S. Assistance to Malawi
U.S. assistance in Malawi seeks to promote food security and agriculture-based economic growth and poverty reduction; preserve Malawi’s unique biodiversity and its ability to mitigate climate change; strengthen public and private institutions for better delivery of social services; empower the private sector and civil society; and advance democracy, human rights, and good governance. U.S. partnerships with the Government of Malawi, civil society, and other donors aim to address weaknesses and gaps that constrain the government’s efforts to meet the basic needs of its citizens, support regional stability, and help the government remain a responsible actor on the international stage.
Bilateral Economic Relations
Malawi is eligible for preferential trade benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act. U.S. exports to Malawi include wheat, low-value shipments, pharmaceutical products, baking-related products, and machinery. U.S. imports from Malawi include tobacco, apparel, tea, macadamia nuts, and sugars.
The United States has signed a trade and investment framework agreement with the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, of which Malawi is a member.
Malawi's Membership in International Organizations
Malawi and the United States belong to a number of the same international organizations, including the United Nations, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and World Trade Organization.
Bilateral Representation
The U.S. Ambassador to Malawi is Jeanine E. Jackson; other principal embassy officials are listed in the Department's Key Officers List .
Malawi maintains an embassy in the United States at 2408 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20005 (tel. 202-721-0270).
More information about Malawi is available from the Department of State and other sources, some of which are listed here:
Department of State Malawi Page
Department of State Key Officers List
CIA World Factbook Malawi Page
U.S. Embassy: Malawi
USAID Malawi Page
History of U.S. Relations With Malawi
Human Rights Reports
International Religious Freedom Reports
Trafficking in Persons Reports
Narcotics Control Reports
Investment Climate Statements
Office of the U.S. Trade Representative Countries Page
U.S. Census Bureau Foreign Trade Statistics
Export.gov International Offices Page
Millennium Challenge Corporation
Travel and Business Information
