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Malawi vs. Tanzania

Introduction

MalawiTanzania
BackgroundFrom the late 15th to the 18th centuries, a prosperous Kingdom of Maravi - from which the name Malawi derives - extended its reach into what are now areas of Zambia and Mozambique. British missionary and trading activity increased in the area around Lake Malawi in the second half of the 19th century. In 1889, a British Central African Protectorate was established, which was renamed Nyasaland in 1907, and which became the independent nation of Malawi in 1964. After three decades of one-party rule under President Hastings Kamuzu BANDA, the country held multiparty presidential and parliamentary elections in 1994, under a provisional constitution that came into full effect the following year. Bakili MULUZI became the first freely elected president of Malawi when he won the presidency in 1994; he won re-election in 1999. President Bingu wa MUTHARIKA, elected in 2004 after a failed attempt by the previous president to amend the constitution to permit another term, struggled to assert his authority against his predecessor and subsequently started his own party, the Democratic Progressive Party in 2005. MUTHARIKA was reelected to a second term in 2009. He oversaw some economic improvement in his first term, but was accused of economic mismanagement and poor governance in his second term. He died abruptly in 2012 and was succeeded by vice president, Joyce BANDA, who had earlier started her own party, the People's Party. MUTHARIKA's brother, Peter MUTHARIKA, defeated BANDA in the 2014 election. Peter MUTHARIKA was reelected in a disputed 2019 election that resulted in countrywide protests. Population growth, increasing pressure on agricultural lands, corruption, and the scourge of HIV/AIDS pose major problems for Malawi.

Mainland Tanzania fell under German rule during the late 19th century as part of German East Africa. After World War I, Britain governed the mainland as Tanganyika; the Zanzibar Archipelago remained a separate colonial jurisdiction. Shortly after achieving independence from Britain in the early 1960s, Tanganyika and Zanzibar merged to form the United Republic of Tanzania in 1964. In 1995, the country held its first democratic elections since the 1970s. Zanzibar maintains semi-autonomy and participates in national elections; popular political opposition on the isles led to four contentious elections since 1995, in which the ruling party claimed victory despite international observers' claims of voting irregularities.

Geography

MalawiTanzania
LocationSouthern Africa, east of Zambia, west and north of MozambiqueEastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between Kenya and Mozambique
Geographic coordinates13 30 S, 34 00 E6 00 S, 35 00 E
Map referencesAfricaAfrica
Areatotal: 118,484 sq km

land: 94,080 sq km

water: 24,404 sq km
total: 947,300 sq km

land: 885,800 sq km

water: 61,500 sq km

note: includes the islands of Mafia, Pemba, and Zanzibar
Area - comparativeslightly smaller than Pennsylvaniamore than six times the size of Georgia; slightly larger than twice the size of California
Land boundariestotal: 2,857 km

border countries (3): Mozambique 1498 km, Tanzania 512 km, Zambia 847 km
total: 4,161 km

border countries (8): Burundi 589 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 479 km, Kenya 775 km, Malawi 512 km, Mozambique 840 km, Rwanda 222 km, Uganda 391 km, Zambia 353 km
Coastline0 km (landlocked)1,424 km
Maritime claimsnone (landlocked)territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climatesub-tropical; rainy season (November to May); dry season (May to November)varies from tropical along coast to temperate in highlands
Terrainnarrow elongated plateau with rolling plains, rounded hills, some mountainsplains along coast; central plateau; highlands in north, south
Elevation extremeshighest point: Sapitwa (Mount Mlanje) 3,002 m

lowest point: junction of the Shire River and international boundary with Mozambique 37 m

mean elevation: 779 m
highest point: Kilimanjaro (highest point in Africa) 5,895 m

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m

mean elevation: 1,018 m
Natural resourceslimestone, arable land, hydropower, unexploited deposits of uranium, coal, and bauxitehydropower, tin, phosphates, iron ore, coal, diamonds, gemstones (including tanzanite, found only in Tanzania), gold, natural gas, nickel
Land useagricultural land: 59.2% (2018 est.)

arable land: 38.2% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 1.4% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 19.6% (2018 est.)

forest: 34% (2018 est.)

other: 6.8% (2018 est.)
agricultural land: 43.7% (2018 est.)

arable land: 14.3% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 2.3% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 27.1% (2018 est.)

forest: 37.3% (2018 est.)

other: 19% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land740 sq km (2012)1,840 sq km (2012)
Natural hazardsflooding; droughts; earthquakes

flooding on the central plateau during the rainy season; drought

volcanism: limited volcanic activity; Ol Doinyo Lengai (2,962 m) has emitted lava in recent years; other historically active volcanoes include Kieyo and Meru

Environment - current issuesdeforestation; land degradation; water pollution from agricultural runoff, sewage, industrial wastes; siltation of spawning grounds endangers fish populations; negative effects of climate change (extreme high temperatures, changing precipatation pattens)water polution; improper management of liquid waste; indoor air pollution caused by the burning of fuel wood or charcoal for cooking and heating is a large environmental health issue; soil degradation; deforestation; desertification; destruction of coral reefs threatens marine habitats; wildlife threatened by illegal hunting and trade, especially for ivory; loss of biodiversity; solid waste disposal
Environment - international agreementsparty to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - notelandlocked; Lake Nyasa, some 580 km long, is the country's most prominent physical feature; it contains more fish species than any other lake on earthKilimanjaro is the highest point in Africa and one of only three mountain ranges on the continent that has glaciers (the others are Mount Kenya [in Kenya] and the Ruwenzori Mountains [on the Uganda-Democratic Republic of the Congo border]); Tanzania is bordered by three of the largest lakes on the continent: Lake Victoria (the world's second-largest freshwater lake) in the north, Lake Tanganyika (the world's second deepest) in the west, and Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi) in the southwest
Total renewable water resources17.28 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)96.27 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
Population distributionpopulation density is highest south of Lake Nyasa as shown in this population distribution mapthe largest and most populous East African country; population distribution is extremely uneven, but greater population clusters occur in the northern half of country and along the east coast as shown in this population distribution map

Demographics

MalawiTanzania
Population20,308,502 (July 2021 est.)

note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected
62,092,761 (July 2021 est.)

note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected
Age structure0-14 years: 45.87% (male 4,843,107/female 4,878,983)

15-24 years: 20.51% (male 2,151,417/female 2,195,939)

25-54 years: 27.96% (male 2,944,936/female 2,982,195)

55-64 years: 2.98% (male 303,803/female 328,092)

65 years and over: 2.68% (male 249,219/female 318,938) (2020 est.)
0-14 years: 42.7% (male 12,632,772/female 12,369,115)

15-24 years: 20.39% (male 5,988,208/female 5,948,134)

25-54 years: 30.31% (male 8,903,629/female 8,844,180)

55-64 years: 3.52% (male 954,251/female 1,107,717)

65 years and over: 3.08% (male 747,934/female 1,056,905) (2020 est.)
Median agetotal: 16.8 years

male: 16.7 years

female: 16.9 years (2020 est.)
total: 18.2 years

male: 17.9 years

female: 18.4 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate2.39% (2021 est.)2.81% (2021 est.)
Birth rate28.59 births/1,000 population (2021 est.)33.71 births/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Death rate4.66 deaths/1,000 population (2021 est.)5.17 deaths/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Net migration rate0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.)-0.44 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Sex ratioat birth: 1.02 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 0.99 male(s)/female

15-24 years: 0.98 male(s)/female

25-54 years: 0.99 male(s)/female

55-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female

total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2020 est.)
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

15-24 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

25-54 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

55-64 years: 0.86 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female

total population: 1 male(s)/female (2020 est.)
Infant mortality ratetotal: 34.19 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 38.61 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 29.71 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 est.)
total: 31.51 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 34.36 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 28.57 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 est.)
Life expectancy at birthtotal population: 72.16 years

male: 69.04 years

female: 75.33 years (2021 est.)
total population: 69.9 years

male: 68.12 years

female: 71.74 years (2021 est.)
Total fertility rate3.51 children born/woman (2021 est.)4.45 children born/woman (2021 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate8.1% (2020 est.)4.7% (2020 est.)
Nationalitynoun: Malawian(s)

adjective: Malawian
noun: Tanzanian(s)

adjective: Tanzanian
Ethnic groupsChewa 34.3%, Lomwe 18.8%, Yao 13.2%, Ngoni 10.4%, Tumbuka 9.2%, Sena 3.8%, Mang'anja 3.2%, Tonga 1.8%, Nyanja 1.8%, Nkhonde 1%, other 2.2%, foreign 0.3% (2018 est.)mainland - African 99% (of which 95% are Bantu consisting of more than 130 tribes), other 1% (consisting of Asian, European, and Arab); Zanzibar - Arab, African, mixed Arab and African
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS990,000 (2020 est.)1.7 million (2020 est.)
ReligionsProtestant 33.5% (includes Church of Central Africa Presbyterian 14.2%, Seventh Day Adventist/Baptist 9.4%, Pentecostal 7.6%, Anglican 2.3%), Roman Catholic 17.2%, other Christian 26.6%, Muslim 13.8%, traditionalist 1.1%, other 5.6%, none 2.1% (2018 est.)Christian 63.1%, Muslim 34.1%, folk religion 1.1%, Buddhist <1%, Hindu <1%, Jewish <1%, other <1%, unspecified 1.6% (2020 est.)

note: Zanzibar is almost entirely Muslim
HIV/AIDS - deaths12,000 (2020 est.)32,000 (2020 est.)
LanguagesEnglish (official), Chewa (common), Lambya, Lomwe, Ngoni, Nkhonde, Nyakyusa, Nyanja, Sena, Tonga, Tumbuka, Yao

note: Chewa and Nyanja are mutually intelligible dialects; Nkhonde and Nyakyusa are mutually intelligible dialects
Kiswahili or Swahili (official), Kiunguja (name for Swahili in Zanzibar), English (official, primary language of commerce, administration, and higher education), Arabic (widely spoken in Zanzibar), many local languages; note - Kiswahili (Swahili) is the mother tongue of the Bantu people living in Zanzibar and nearby coastal Tanzania; although Kiswahili is Bantu in structure and origin, its vocabulary draws on a variety of sources including Arabic and English; it has become the lingua franca of central and eastern Africa; the first language of most people is one of the local languages

major-language sample(s):
The World Factbook, Chanzo cha Lazima Kuhusu Habari ya Msingi. (Kiswahili)

The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Literacydefinition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 62.1%

male: 69.8%

female: 55.2% (2015)
definition: age 15 and over can read and write Kiswahili (Swahili), English, or Arabic

total population: 77.9%

male: 83.2%

female: 73.1% (2015)
Major infectious diseasesdegree of risk: very high (2020)

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: malaria and dengue fever

water contact diseases: schistosomiasis

animal contact diseases: rabies
degree of risk: very high (2020)

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: malaria, dengue fever, and Rift Valley fever

water contact diseases: schistosomiasis

animal contact diseases: rabies
Food insecuritysevere localized food insecurity: due to reduced incomes - nationally, cereal production is estimated at a bumper high in 2021, which is expected to result in average to above-average household cereal supplies and thus improvements in food security; despite the good food supply situation, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic will continue to curb access to food due to reduced incomes (2021)severe localized food insecurity: due to localized shortfalls in staple food production - number of severely food insecure people estimated at 490,000 for period May-September 2021, markedly lower than in period November 2019-April 2020 (2021)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)total: 11 years

male: 11 years

female: 11 years (2011)
total: 9 years

male: 9 years

female: 9 years (2019)
Education expenditures4.7% of GDP (2018)3.4% of GDP (2014)
Urbanizationurban population: 17.7% of total population (2021)

rate of urbanization: 4.41% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
urban population: 36% of total population (2021)

rate of urbanization: 4.89% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Drinking water sourceimproved: urban: 95.9% of population

rural: 87.3% of population

total: 88.7% of population

unimproved: urban: 4.1% of population

rural: 12.7% of population

total: 11.3% of population (2017 est.)
improved: urban: 92.3% of population

rural: 56.2% of population

total: 68.2% of population

unimproved: urban: 7.7% of population

rural: 43.8% of population

total: 31.8% of population (2017 est.)
Sanitation facility accessimproved: urban: 58.2% of population

rural: 35.9% of population

total: 39.6% of population

unimproved: urban: 41.8% of population

rural: 64.1% of population

total: 60.4% of population (2017 est.)
improved: urban: 82.1% of population

rural: 29.5% of population

total: 46.9% of population

unimproved: urban: 17.9% of population

rural: 70.5% of population

total: 53.1% of population (2017 est.)
Major cities - population1.171 million LILONGWE (capital), 962,000 Blantyre-Limbe (2021)262,000 Dodoma (legislative capital) (2018), 7.047 million DAR ES SALAAM (administrative capital), 1.182 million Mwanza (2021)
Maternal mortality rate349 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)524 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight9% (2019)14.6% (2018)
Health expenditures9.3% (2018)3.6% (2018)
Physicians density0.04 physicians/1,000 population (2018)0.01 physicians/1,000 population (2016)
Hospital bed density1.3 beds/1,000 population (2011)0.7 beds/1,000 population (2010)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate5.8% (2016)8.4% (2016)
Mother's mean age at first birth19.1 years (2015/16 est.)

note: median age at first birth among women 20-49
19.8 years (2015/16 est.)

note: median age at first birth among women 20-49
Demographic profile

Malawi has made great improvements in maternal and child health, but has made less progress in reducing its high fertility rate. In both rural and urban areas, very high proportions of mothers are receiving prenatal care and skilled birth assistance, and most children are being vaccinated. Malawi's fertility rate, however, has only declined slowly, decreasing from more than 7 children per woman in the 1980s to about 5.5 today. Nonetheless, Malawians prefer smaller families than in the past, and women are increasingly using contraceptives to prevent or space pregnancies. Rapid population growth and high population density is putting pressure on Malawi's land, water, and forest resources. Reduced plot sizes and increasing vulnerability to climate change, further threaten the sustainability of Malawi's agriculturally based economy and will worsen food shortages. About 80% of the population is employed in agriculture.

Historically, Malawians migrated abroad in search of work, primarily to South Africa and present-day Zimbabwe, but international migration became uncommon after the 1970s, and most migration in recent years has been internal. During the colonial period, Malawians regularly migrated to southern Africa as contract farm laborers, miners, and domestic servants. In the decade and a half after independence in 1964, the Malawian Government sought to transform its economy from one dependent on small-scale farms to one based on estate agriculture. The resulting demand for wage labor induced more than 300,000 Malawians to return home between the mid-1960s and the mid-1970s. In recent times, internal migration has generally been local, motivated more by marriage than economic reasons.

Tanzania has the largest population in East Africa and the lowest population density; almost a third of the population is urban. Tanzania's youthful population - about two-thirds of the population is under 25 - is growing rapidly because of the high total fertility rate of 4.8 children per woman. Progress in reducing the birth rate has stalled, sustaining the country's nearly 3% annual growth. The maternal mortality rate has improved since 2000, yet it remains very high because of early and frequent pregnancies, inadequate maternal health services, and a lack of skilled birth attendants - problems that are worse among poor and rural women. Tanzania has made strides in reducing under-5 and infant mortality rates, but a recent drop in immunization threatens to undermine gains in child health. Malaria is a leading killer of children under 5, while HIV is the main source of adult mortality

For Tanzania, most migration is internal, rural to urban movement, while some temporary labor migration from towns to plantations takes place seasonally for harvests. Tanzania was Africa's largest refugee-hosting country for decades, hosting hundreds of thousands of refugees from the Great Lakes region, primarily Burundi, over the last fifty years. However, the assisted repatriation and naturalization of tens of thousands of Burundian refugees between 2002 and 2014 dramatically reduced the refugee population. Tanzania is increasingly a transit country for illegal migrants from the Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes region who are heading to southern Africa for security reasons and/or economic opportunities. Some of these migrants choose to settle in Tanzania.

Contraceptive prevalence rate59.2% (2015/16)38.4% (2015/16)
Dependency ratiostotal dependency ratio: 83.9

youth dependency ratio: 79.1

elderly dependency ratio: 4.9

potential support ratio: 20.6 (2020 est.)
total dependency ratio: 85.9

youth dependency ratio: 81

elderly dependency ratio: 4.9

potential support ratio: 20.4 (2020 est.)

Government

MalawiTanzania
Country nameconventional long form: Republic of Malawi

conventional short form: Malawi

local long form: Dziko la Malawi

local short form: Malawi

former: British Central African Protectorate, Nyasaland Protectorate, Nyasaland

etymology: named for the East African Maravi Kingdom of the 16th century; the word "maravi" means "fire flames"
conventional long form: United Republic of Tanzania

conventional short form: Tanzania

local long form: Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania

local short form: Tanzania

former: German East Africa, Trust Territory of Tanganyika, United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar

etymology: the country's name is a combination of the first letters of Tanganyika and Zanzibar, the two states that merged to form Tanzania in 1964
Government typepresidential republicpresidential republic
Capitalname: Lilongwe

geographic coordinates: 13 58 S, 33 47 E

time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

etymology: named after the Lilongwe River that flows through the city
name: Dar es Salaam (administrative capital), Dodoma (legislative capital); note - Dodoma was designated the national capital in 1996 and serves as the meeting place for the National Assembly; Dar es Salaam remains the de facto capital, the country's largest city and commercial center, and the site of the executive branch offices and diplomatic representation; the government contends that it will complete the transfer of the executive branch to Dodoma by 2020

geographic coordinates: 6 48 S, 39 17 E

time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

etymology: Dar es Salaam was the name given by Majid bin Said, the first sultan of Zanzibar, to the new city he founded on the Indian Ocean coast; the Arabic name is commonly translated as "abode/home of peace"; Dodoma, in the native Gogo language, means "it has sunk"; supposedly, one day during the rainy season, an elephant drowned in the area; the villagers in that place were so struck by what had occurred, that ever since the locale has been referred to as the place where "it (the elephant) sunk"
Administrative divisions28 districts; Balaka, Blantyre, Chikwawa, Chiradzulu, Chitipa, Dedza, Dowa, Karonga, Kasungu, Likoma, Lilongwe, Machinga, Mangochi, Mchinji, Mulanje, Mwanza, Mzimba, Neno, Ntcheu, Nkhata Bay, Nkhotakota, Nsanje, Ntchisi, Phalombe, Rumphi, Salima, Thyolo, Zomba31 regions; Arusha, Dar es Salaam, Dodoma, Geita, Iringa, Kagera, Kaskazini Pemba (Pemba North), Kaskazini Unguja (Zanzibar North), Katavi, Kigoma, Kilimanjaro, Kusini Pemba (Pemba South), Kusini Unguja (Zanzibar Central/South), Lindi, Manyara, Mara, Mbeya, Mjini Magharibi (Zanzibar Urban/West), Morogoro, Mtwara, Mwanza, Njombe, Pwani (Coast), Rukwa, Ruvuma, Shinyanga, Simiyu, Singida, Songwe, Tabora, Tanga
Independence6 July 1964 (from the UK)26 April 1964 (Tanganyika united with Zanzibar to form the United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar); 29 October 1964 (renamed United Republic of Tanzania); notable earlier dates: 9 December 1961 (Tanganyika became independent from UK-administered UN trusteeship); 10 December 1963 (Zanzibar became independent from UK)
National holidayIndependence Day, 6 July (1964); note - also called Republic Day since 6 July 1966Union Day (Tanganyika and Zanzibar), 26 April (1964)
Constitutionhistory: previous 1953 (preindependence), 1964, 1966; latest drafted January to May 1994, approved 16 May 1994, entered into force 18 May 1995

amendments: proposed by the National Assembly; passage of amendments affecting constitutional articles, including the sovereignty and territory of the state, fundamental constitutional principles, human rights, voting rights, and the judiciary, requires majority approval in a referendum and majority approval by the Assembly; passage of other amendments requires at least two-thirds majority vote of the Assembly; amended several times, last in 2017
history: several previous; latest adopted 25 April 1977; note - progress enacting a new constitution drafted in 2014 by the Constituent Assembly has stalled

amendments: proposed by the National Assembly; passage of amendments to constitutional articles including those on sovereignty of the United Republic, the authorities and powers of the government, the president, the Assembly, and the High Court requires two-thirds majority vote of the mainland Assembly membership and of the Zanzibar House of Representatives membership; House of Representatives approval of other amendments is not required; amended several times, last in 2017 (2021)
Legal systemmixed legal system of English common law and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court of AppealEnglish common law; judicial review of legislative acts limited to matters of interpretation
Suffrage18 years of age; universal18 years of age; universal
Executive branchchief of state: President Lazarus CHAKWERA (since 28 June 2020); Vice President Saulos CHILIMA (since 3 February 2020); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government 

head of government: President Lazarus CHAKWERA (since 28 June 2020); Vice President Saulos CHILIMA (since 3 February 2020) 

cabinet: Cabinet named by the president 

elections/appointments: president directly elected by simple majority popular vote for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 23 June 2020 (next to be held in 2025)

election results: Lazarus CHAKWERA elected president; Lazarus CHAKWERA (MCP) 59.3%, Peter Mutharika (DPP) 39.9%, other 0.7%

       

chief of state: President Samia Suluhu HASSAN (since 19 March 2021); note - President John MAGUFULI died on 17 March 2021; vice president (vacant); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government

head of government: President Samia Suluhu HASSAN (since 19 March 2021); note - President John MAGUFULI died on 17 March 2021; vice president (vacant); Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa MAJALIWA (since 20 November 2015) has authority over the day-to-day functions of the government, is the leader of government business in the National Assembly, and is head of the Cabinet

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among members of the National Assembly

elections/appointments: president and vice president directly elected on the same ballot by simple majority popular vote for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 25 October 2015 (next to be held 28 October 2020); prime minister appointed by the president

election results: John MAGUFULI elected president; percent of vote - John MAGUFULI (CCM) 58.5%, Edward LOWASSA (CHADEMA) 40%, other 1.5%

note: Zanzibar elects a president as head of government for internal matters; election held on 25 October 2015 was annulled by the Zanzibar Electoral Commission and rerun on 20 March 2016; President Ali Mohamed SHEIN reelected; percent of vote - Ali Mohamed SHEIN (CCM) 91.4%, Hamad Rashid MOHAMED (ADC) 3%, other 5.6%; the main opposition party in Zanzibar CUF boycotted the 20 March 2016 election rerun
Legislative branchdescription: unicameral National Assembly (193 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 5-year terms)

elections: last held on 21 May 2019 (next to be held in May 2024)

election results: percent of vote by party - n/a; seats by party - DPP 62, MCP 55, UDF 10, PP 5, other 5, independent 55, vacant 1; composition - men 161, women 32, percent of women 16.6%
description: unicameral National Assembly or Parliament (Bunge) (393 seats; 264 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote, 113 women indirectly elected by proportional representation vote, 5 indirectly elected by simple majority vote by the Zanzibar House of Representatives, 10 appointed by the president, and 1 seat reserved for the attorney general; members serve a 5-year term); note - in addition to enacting laws that apply to the entire United Republic of Tanzania, the National Assembly enacts laws that apply only to the mainland; Zanzibar has its own House of Representatives or Baraza La Wawakilishi (82 seats; 50 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote, 20 women directly elected by proportional representation vote, 10 appointed by the Zanzibar president, 1 seat for the House speaker, and 1 ex-officio seat for the attorney general; elected members serve a 5-year term)

elections: Tanzania National Assembly and Zanzibar House of Representatives - elections last held on 25 October 2015 (next National Assembly election to be held in October 2020; next Zanzibar election either October 2020 or March 2021); note the Zanzibar Electoral Commission annulled the 2015 election; repoll held on 20 March 2016

election results: National Assembly - percent of vote by party - CCM 55%, Chadema 31.8%, CUF 8.6%, other 4.6%; seats by party - CCM 253, Chadema 70, CUF 42, other 2; composition as of September 2018 - men 245, women 145, percent of women 37.2%

Zanzibar House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; composition - NA
Judicial branchhighest courts: Supreme Court of Appeal (consists of the chief justice and at least 3 judges)

judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the president and confirmed by the National Assembly; other judges appointed by the president upon the recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission, which regulates judicial officers; judges serve until age 65

subordinate courts: High Court; magistrate courts; Industrial Relations Court; district and city traditional or local courts
highest courts: Court of Appeal of the United Republic of Tanzania (consists of the chief justice and 14 justices); High Court of the United Republic for Mainland Tanzania (consists of the principal judge and 30 judges organized into commercial, land, and labor courts); High Court of Zanzibar (consists of the chief justice and 10 justices)

judge selection and term of office: Court of Appeal and High Court justices appointed by the national president after consultation with the Judicial Service Commission for Tanzania, a judicial body of high level judges and 2 members appointed by the national president; Court of Appeal and High Court judges serve until mandatory retirement at age 60, but terms can be extended; High Court of Zanzibar judges appointed by the national president after consultation with the Judicial Commission of Zanzibar; judges can serve until mandatory retirement at age 65

subordinate courts: Resident Magistrates Courts; Kadhi courts (for Islamic family matters); district and primary courts
Political parties and leadersDemocratic Progressive Party or DPP [Peter MUTHARIKA]
Malawi Congress Party or MCP [Lazarus CHAKWERA]
Peoples Party or PP [Joyce BANDA]
United Democratic Front or UDF [Atupele MULUZI]
United Transformation Movement or UTM [Saulos CHILIMA]

Alliance for Change and Transparency (Wazalendo) or ACT [Zitto KABWE]
Alliance for Democratic Change or ADC [Miraji ABDALLAH]
Civic United Front (Chama Cha Wananchi) or CUF [Ibrahim LIPUMBA]
National Convention for Construction and Reform-Mageuzi or NCCR-M [James Francis MBATIA]
National League for Democracy
Party of Democracy and Development (Chama Cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo) or Chadema [Freeman MBOWE]
Revolutionary Party (Chama Cha Mapinduzi) or CCM [John MAGUFULI]
Tanzania Labor Party or TLP [Augustine MREMA]
United Democratic Party or UDP [John Momose CHEYO]



note: in March 2014, four opposition parties (CUF, CHADEMA, NCCR-Mageuzi, and NLD) united to form Coalition for the People's Constitution (Umoja wa Katiba ya Wananchi) or UKAWA; during local elections held in October, 2014, UKAWA entered one candidate representing the three parties united in the coalition

International organization participationACP, AfDB, AU, C, CD, COMESA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINURSO, MONUSCO, NAM, OPCW, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTOACP, AfDB, AU, C, CD, EAC, EADB, EITI, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MONUSCO, NAM, OPCW, SADC, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNISFA, UNMISS, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the USchief of mission: Ambassador Edward Yakobe SAWERENGERA (since 16 September 2016)

chancery: 2408 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 721-0270

FAX: [1] (202) 721-0288

email address and website:
malawiembassy-dc.org

http://www.malawiembassy-dc.org/
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Jean Abel MSABILA, Counselor (since 21 May 2021)

chancery: 1232 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20037

telephone: [1] (202) 884-1080, [1] (202) 939-6125, [1] (202) 939-6127

FAX: [1] (202) 797-7408

email address and website:
ubalozi@tanzaniaembassy-us.org

https://tanzaniaembassy-us.org/
Diplomatic representation from the USchief of mission: Ambassador Robert SCOTT (since 6 August 2019)

embassy: 16 Jomo Kenyatta Road, Lilongwe 3

mailing address: 2280 Lilongwe Place, Washington DC  20521-2280

telephone: [265] (0) 177-3166

FAX: [265] (0) 177-0471

email address and website:
LilongweConsular@state.gov

https://mw.usembassy.gov/
chief of mission: Ambassador Donald J. WRIGHT (since 2 April 2020)

embassy: 686 Old Bagamoyo Road, Msasani, P.O. Box 9123, Dar es Salaam

mailing address: 2140 Dar es Salaam Place, Washington, DC  20521-2140

telephone: [255] (22) 229-4000

FAX: [255] (22) 229-4721

email address and website:
DRSACS@state.gov

https://tz.usembassy.gov/
Flag descriptionthree equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and green with a radiant, rising, red sun centered on the black band; black represents the native peoples, red the blood shed in their struggle for freedom, and green the color of nature; the rising sun represents the hope of freedom for the continent of Africadivided diagonally by a yellow-edged black band from the lower hoist-side corner; the upper triangle (hoist side) is green and the lower triangle is blue; the banner combines colors found on the flags of Tanganyika and Zanzibar; green represents the natural vegetation of the country, gold its rich mineral deposits, black the native Swahili people, and blue the country's many lakes and rivers, as well as the Indian Ocean
National anthemname: "Mulungu dalitsa Malawi" (Oh God Bless Our Land of Malawi)

lyrics/music: Michael-Fredrick Paul SAUKA

note: adopted 1964
name: "Mungu ibariki Afrika" (God Bless Africa)

lyrics/music: collective/Enoch Mankayi SONTONGA

note: adopted 1961; the anthem, which is also a popular song in Africa, shares the same melody with that of Zambia but has different lyrics; the melody is also incorporated into South Africa's anthem
International law organization participationaccepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdictionhas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
National symbol(s)lion; national colors: black, red, greenUhuru (Freedom) torch, giraffe; national colors: green, yellow, blue, black
Citizenshipcitizenship by birth: no

citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Malawi

dual citizenship recognized: no

residency requirement for naturalization: 7 years
citizenship by birth: no

citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Tanzania; if a child is born abroad, the father must be a citizen of Tanzania

dual citizenship recognized: no

residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years

Economy

MalawiTanzania
Economy - overview

Landlocked Malawi ranks among the world's least developed countries. The country's economic performance has historically been constrained by policy inconsistency, macroeconomic instability, poor infrastructure, rampant corruption, high population growth, and poor health and education outcomes that limit labor productivity. The economy is predominately agricultural with about 80% of the population living in rural areas. Agriculture accounts for about one-third of GDP and 80% of export revenues. The performance of the tobacco sector is key to short-term growth as tobacco accounts for more than half of exports, although Malawi is looking to diversify away from tobacco to other cash crops.

The economy depends on substantial inflows of economic assistance from the IMF, the World Bank, and individual donor nations. Donors halted direct budget support from 2013 to 2016 because of concerns about corruption and fiscal carelessness, but the World Bank resumed budget support in May 2017. In 2006, Malawi was approved for relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) program but recent increases in domestic borrowing mean that debt servicing in 2016 exceeded the levels prior to HIPC debt relief.

Heavily dependent on rain-fed agriculture, with corn being the staple crop, Malawi's economy was hit hard by the El Nino-driven drought in 2015 and 2016, and now faces threat from the fall armyworm. The drought also slowed economic activity, led to two consecutive years of declining economic growth, and contributed to high inflation rates. Depressed food prices over 2017 led to a significant drop in inflation (from an average of 21.7% in 2016 to 12.3% in 2017), with a similar drop in interest rates.

Tanzania has achieved high growth rates based on its vast natural resource wealth and tourism with GDP growth in 2009-17 averaging 6%-7% per year. Dar es Salaam used fiscal stimulus measures and easier monetary policies to lessen the impact of the global recession and in general, benefited from low oil prices. Tanzania has largely completed its transition to a market economy, though the government retains a presence in sectors such as telecommunications, banking, energy, and mining.

The economy depends on agriculture, which accounts for slightly less than one-quarter of GDP and employs about 65% of the work force, although gold production in recent years has increased to about 35% of exports. All land in Tanzania is owned by the government, which can lease land for up to 99 years. Proposed reforms to allow for land ownership, particularly foreign land ownership, remain unpopular.

The financial sector in Tanzania has expanded in recent years and foreign-owned banks account for about 48% of the banking industry's total assets. Competition among foreign commercial banks has resulted in significant improvements in the efficiency and quality of financial services, though interest rates are still relatively high, reflecting high fraud risk. Banking reforms have helped increase private-sector growth and investment.

The World Bank, the IMF, and bilateral donors have provided funds to rehabilitate Tanzania's aging infrastructure, including rail and port, which provide important trade links for inland countries. In 2013, Tanzania completed the world's largest Millennium Challenge Compact (MCC) grant, worth $698 million, but in late 2015, the MCC Board of Directors deferred a decision to renew Tanzania's eligibility because of irregularities in voting in Zanzibar and concerns over the government's use of a controversial cybercrime bill.

The new government elected in 2015 has developed an ambitious development agenda focused on creating a better business environment through improved infrastructure, access to financing, and education progress, but implementing budgets remains challenging for the government. Recent policy moves by President MAGUFULI are aimed at protecting domestic industry and have caused concern among foreign investors.

GDP (purchasing power parity)$19.741 billion (2019 est.)

$18.914 billion (2018 est.)

$18.333 billion (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
$149.785 billion (2019 est.)

$141.585 billion (2018 est.)

$134.274 billion (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2010 dollars
GDP - real growth rate4% (2017 est.)

2.3% (2016 est.)

3% (2015 est.)
6.98% (2019 est.)

6.95% (2018 est.)

6.78% (2017 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP)$1,060 (2019 est.)

$1,043 (2018 est.)

$1,038 (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
$2,660 (2019 est.)

$2,590 (2018 est.)

$2,530 (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2010 dollars
GDP - composition by sectoragriculture: 28.6% (2017 est.)

industry: 15.4% (2017 est.)

services: 56% (2017 est.)
agriculture: 23.4% (2017 est.)

industry: 28.6% (2017 est.)

services: 47.6% (2017 est.)
Population below poverty line51.5% (2016 est.)26.4% (2017 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage sharelowest 10%: 2.2%

highest 10%: 37.5% (2010 est.)
lowest 10%: 2.8%

highest 10%: 29.6% (2007)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)9.3% (2019 est.)

12.4% (2018 est.)

11.7% (2017 est.)
3.4% (2019 est.)

3.5% (2018 est.)

5.3% (2017 est.)
Labor force7 million (2013 est.)24.89 million (2017 est.)
Labor force - by occupationagriculture: 76.9%

industry: 4.1%

services: 19% (2013 est.)
agriculture: 66.9%

industry: 6.4%

services: 26.6% (2014 est.)
Unemployment rate20.4% (2013 est.)10.3% (2014 est.)
Distribution of family income - Gini index44.7 (2016 est.)

39 (2004)
40.5 (2017 est.)

34.6 (2000)
Budgetrevenues: 1.356 billion (2017 est.)

expenditures: 1.567 billion (2017 est.)
revenues: 7.873 billion (2017 est.)

expenditures: 8.818 billion (2017 est.)
Industriestobacco, tea, sugar, sawmill products, cement, consumer goodsagricultural processing (sugar, beer, cigarettes, sisal twine); mining (diamonds, gold, and iron), salt, soda ash; cement, oil refining, shoes, apparel, wood products, fertilizer
Industrial production growth rate1.2% (2017 est.)12% (2017 est.)
Agriculture - productssweet potatoes, cassava, sugar cane, maize, mangoes/guavas, potatoes, tomatoes, pigeon peas, bananas, plantainscassava, maize, sweet potatoes, sugar cane, rice, bananas, vegetables, milk, beans, sunflower seed
Exports$10.718 billion (2019 est.)

$10.326 billion (2018 est.)

$9.658 billion (2017 est.)
$7.827 billion (2017 est.)

$5.697 billion (2016 est.)
Exports - commoditiestobacco, tea, raw sugar, beans, soybean products, clothing and apparel (2019)gold, tobacco, cashews, sesame seeds, refined petroleum (2019)
Exports - partnersBelgium 16%, United States 8%, Egypt 7%, South Africa 6%, Germany 6%, Kenya 5%, United Arab Emirates 5% (2019)India 20%, United Arab Emirates 13%, China 8%, Switzerland 7%, Rwanda 6%, Kenya 5%, Vietnam 5% (2019)
Imports$12.818 billion (2019 est.)

$12.372 billion (2018 est.)

$11.631 billion (2017 est.)
$9.972 billion (2017 est.)

$8.464 billion (2016 est.)
Imports - commoditiespostage stamps, refined petroleum, packaged medicines, fertilizers, office machinery/parts (2019)refined petroleum, palm oil, packaged medicines, cars, wheat (2019)
Imports - partnersSouth Africa 17%, China 16%, United Arab Emirates 9%, India 9%, United Kingdom 8% (2019)China 34%, India 15%, United Arab Emirates 12% (2019)
Debt - external$2.102 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$1.5 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
$22.054 billion (2019 est.)

$20.569 billion (2018 est.)
Exchange ratesMalawian kwachas (MWK) per US dollar -

762.4951 (2020 est.)

736.6548 (2019 est.)

732.335 (2018 est.)

499.6 (2014 est.)

424.9 (2013 est.)
Tanzanian shillings (TZS) per US dollar -

2,319 (2020 est.)

2,300 (2019 est.)

2,299.155 (2018 est.)

1,989.7 (2014 est.)

1,654 (2013 est.)
Fiscal year1 July - 30 June1 July - 30 June
Public debt59.2% of GDP (2017 est.)

60.3% of GDP (2016 est.)
37% of GDP (2017 est.)

38% of GDP (2016 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold$780.2 million (31 December 2017 est.)

$585.7 million (31 December 2016 est.)
$5.301 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$4.067 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

note: excludes gold
Current Account Balance-$591 million (2017 est.)

-$744 million (2016 est.)
-$1.313 billion (2019 est.)

-$1.898 billion (2018 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)$7.766 billion (2019 est.)$60.633 billion (2019 est.)
Ease of Doing Business Index scoresOverall score: 60.9 (2020)

Starting a Business score: 77.9 (2020)

Trading score: 65.3 (2020)

Enforcement score: 47.4 (2020)
Overall score: 54.5 (2020)

Starting a Business score: 74.4 (2020)

Trading score: 20.2 (2020)

Enforcement score: 61.7 (2020)
Taxes and other revenues21.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.)15.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)-3.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.)-1.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24total: 40.5%

male: 33.1%

female: 47.7% (2017 est.)
total: 3.9%

male: 3.1%

female: 4.6% (2014 est.)
GDP - composition, by end usehousehold consumption: 84.3% (2017 est.)

government consumption: 16.3% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 15.3% (2017 est.)

investment in inventories: 0% (2017 est.)

exports of goods and services: 27.9% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services: -43.8% (2017 est.)
household consumption: 62.4% (2017 est.)

government consumption: 12.5% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 36.1% (2017 est.)

investment in inventories: -8.7% (2017 est.)

exports of goods and services: 18.1% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services: -20.5% (2017 est.)
Gross national saving11% of GDP (2019 est.)

9.1% of GDP (2018 est.)

8.2% of GDP (2017 est.)
30.5% of GDP (2017 est.)

23.1% of GDP (2016 est.)

24.9% of GDP (2015 est.)

Energy

MalawiTanzania
Electricity - production1.42 billion kWh (2016 est.)6.699 billion kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - consumption1.321 billion kWh (2016 est.)5.682 billion kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - exports0 kWh (2016 est.)0 kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - imports0 kWh (2016 est.)102 million kWh (2016 est.)
Oil - production0 bbl/day (2018 est.)0 bbl/day (2018 est.)
Oil - imports0 bbl/day (2015 est.)0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Oil - exports0 bbl/day (2015 est.)0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Oil - proved reserves0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.)0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves0 cu m (2017 est.)6.513 billion cu m (1 January 2018 est.)
Natural gas - production0 cu m (2017 est.)3.115 billion cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - consumption0 cu m (2017 est.)3.115 billion cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - exports0 cu m (2017 est.)0 cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - imports0 cu m (2017 est.)0 cu m (2017 est.)
Electricity - installed generating capacity375,000 kW (2016 est.)1.457 million kW (2016 est.)
Electricity - from fossil fuels1% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)55% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants93% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)40% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Electricity - from nuclear fuels0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Electricity - from other renewable sources6% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)6% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production0 bbl/day (2015 est.)0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - consumption6,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)72,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports0 bbl/day (2015 est.)0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports4,769 bbl/day (2015 est.)67,830 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Electricity accesselectrification - total population: 13% (2019)

electrification - urban areas: 55% (2019)

electrification - rural areas: 5% (2019)
electrification - total population: 40% (2019)

electrification - urban areas: 71% (2019)

electrification - rural areas: 23% (2019)

Telecommunications

MalawiTanzania
Telephones - main lines in usetotal subscriptions: 13,101

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: less than 1 (2019 est.)
total subscriptions: 76,288

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: less than 1 (2019 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellulartotal subscriptions: 8,901,027

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 46.03 (2019 est.)
total subscriptions: 47,685,232

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 81.29 (2019 est.)
Internet country code.mw.tz
Internet userstotal: 2,734,305

percent of population: 13.78% (July 2018 est.)
total: 13,862,836

percent of population: 25% (July 2018 est.)
Telecommunication systemsgeneral assessment:

Malawi remains one of the world's least developed countries, with few resources to build efficient fixed-line telecom infrastructure; mobile penetration low compared to region with ample opportunity for growth and competition; some mobile services to rural areas; LTE services are available; national fiber backbone near completion; progress in m-payment methods; prospect of international submarine cables from neighboring countries; importer of broadcast equipment from China (2021)

(2020)

domestic: limited fixed-line subscribership less than 1 per 100 households; mobile-cellular services are expanding but network coverage is limited and is based around the main urban areas; mobile-cellular subscribership 48 per 100 households (2019)

international: country code - 265; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean, 1 Atlantic Ocean) (2019)

note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments

general assessment: Tanzania's telecom services are marginal and operating below capacity; one fixed-line operator with competition in mobile networks; high tariffs on telecom; mobile use is growing with popularity of 3G/LTE services; government allocated funds in 2019 to improve rural telecom infrastructure and work on national fiber backbone network connecting population around country (2020) (2020)

domestic: fixed-line telephone network inadequate with less than 1 connection per 100 persons; mobile-cellular service, aided by multiple providers, is increasing rapidly and exceeds 82 telephones per 100 persons; trunk service provided by open-wire, microwave radio relay, tropospheric scatter, and fiber-optic cable; some links being made digital (2019)

international: country code - 255; landing points for the EASSy, SEACOM/Tata TGN-Eurasia, and SEAS fiber-optic submarine cable system linking East Africa with the Middle East; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean, 1 Atlantic Ocean) (2019)

note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments
Broadband - fixed subscriptionstotal: 11,358

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: less than 1 (2018 est.)
total: 1,039,655

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1.77 (2019 est.)
Broadcast mediaradio is the main broadcast medium; privately owned Zodiak radio has the widest national broadcasting reach, followed by state-run radio; numerous private and community radio stations broadcast in cities and towns around the country; the largest TV network is government-owned, but at least 4 private TV networks broadcast in urban areas; relays of multiple international broadcasters are available (2019)a state-owned TV station and multiple privately owned TV stations; state-owned national radio station supplemented by more than 40 privately owned radio stations; transmissions of several international broadcasters are available (2019)

Transportation

MalawiTanzania
Railwaystotal: 767 km (2014)

narrow gauge: 767 km 1.067-m gauge (2014)
total: 4,567 km (2014)

narrow gauge: 1,860 km 1.067-m gauge (2014)

2707 km 1.000-m gauge
Roadwaystotal: 15,452 km (2015)

paved: 4,074 km (2015)

unpaved: 11,378 km (2015)
total: 87,581 km (2015)

paved: 10,025 km (2015)

unpaved: 77,556 km (2015)
Waterways700 km (on Lake Nyasa [Lake Malawi] and Shire River) (2010)(Lake Tanganyika, Lake Victoria, and Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi) are the principal avenues of commerce with neighboring countries; the rivers are not navigable) (2011)
Ports and terminalslake port(s): Chipoka, Monkey Bay, Nkhata Bay, Nkhotakota, Chilumba (Lake Nyasa)major seaport(s): Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar
Airportstotal: 32 (2013)total: 166 (2013)
Airports - with paved runwaystotal: 7 (2019)

over 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 2

914 to 1,523 m: 4
total: 10 (2019)

over 3,047 m: 2

2,438 to 3,047 m: 2

1,524 to 2,437 m: 4

914 to 1,523 m: 2
Airports - with unpaved runwaystotal: 25 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2013)

914 to 1,523 m: 11 (2013)

under 914 m: 13 (2013)
total: 156 (2013)

over 3,047 m: 1 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m: 24 (2013)

914 to 1,523 m: 98 (2013)

under 914 m: 33 (2013)
National air transport systemnumber of registered air carriers: 2 (2020)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 9

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 10,545 (2018)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 10,000 mt-km (2018)
number of registered air carriers: 11 (2020)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 91

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 1,481,557 (2018)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 390,000 mt-km (2018)
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix7Q5H

Military

MalawiTanzania
Military branchesMalawi Defense Force (MDF): Army (includes marine unit), Air Force (established as a separate service August 2019; previously was an air wing under the Army) (2021)Tanzania People's Defense Forces (TPDF or Jeshi la Wananchi la Tanzania, JWTZ): Land Forces, Naval Forces, Air Force, National Building Army (Jeshi la Kujenga Taifa, JKT), People's Militia (Reserves); Ministry of Home Affairs paramilitary forces: Police Field Force (2021)

note: the National Building Army is a paramilitary organization under the Defense Forces that provides six months of military and vocational training to individuals as part of their two years of public service; after completion of training, some graduates join the regular Defense Forces while the remainder become part of the People's (or Citizen's) Militia
Military service age and obligation18 years of age for voluntary military service; high school equivalent required for enlisted recruits and college equivalent for officer recruits; initial engagement is 7 years for enlisted personnel and 10 years for officers (2021)18-25 years of age for voluntary military service; 6-year commitment (2-year contracts afterwards); selective conscription for 2 years of public service (2021)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP0.9% of GDP (2019)

0.9% of GDP (2018)

0.7% of GDP (2017)

0.6% of GDP (2016)

0.6% of GDP (2015)
1.3% of GDP (2019)

1.3% of GDP (2018)

1.1% of GDP (2017)

1.1% of GDP (2016)

1.1% of GDP (2015)
Military and security service personnel strengthsinformation varies; approximately 8,000 total personnel (including about 200 air and 200 marine forces) (2021)the Tanzania People's Defense Forces (TPDF) have an estimated 26,000 active personnel (22,000 Land Forces; 1,000 Naval Forces; 3,000 Air Force) (2020)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitionsthe Malawi Defense Force inventory is comprised of mostly obsolescent or second-hand equipment from Europe and South Africa; since 2010, it has taken deliveries of limited amounts of mostly second-hand equipment from China, South Africa, and the UK, as well as non-lethal equipment donated by the US (2020)the TPDF inventory includes mostly Soviet-era and Chinese equipment; since 2010, China is the leading supplier of arms to the TPDF (2020)
Military deployments700 Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) (Jan 2021)450 Central African Republic (MINUSCA); 775 Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO); 120 Lebanon (UNIFIL); 330 Sudan (UNAMID) (Jan 2021)

Transnational Issues

MalawiTanzania
Disputes - international

dispute with Tanzania over the boundary in Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi) and the meandering Songwe River; Malawi contends that the entire lake up to the Tanzanian shoreline is its territory, while Tanzania claims the border is in the center of the lake; the conflict was reignited in 2012 when Malawi awarded a license to a British company for oil exploration in the lake

dispute with Tanzania over the boundary in Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi) and the meandering Songwe River; Malawi contends that the entire lake up to the Tanzanian shoreline is its territory, while Tanzania claims the border is in the center of the lake; the conflict was reignited in 2012 when Malawi awarded a license to a British company for oil exploration in the lake

Refugees and internally displaced personsrefugees (country of origin): 31,409 (Democratic Republic of the Congo) (refugees and asylum seekers), 11,241 (Burundi) (refugees and asylum seekers), 6,939 (Rwanda) (refugees and asylum seekers) (2021)refugees (country of origin): 133,029 (Burundi), 79,002 (Democratic Republic of the Congo) (2021)

Environment

MalawiTanzania
Air pollutantsparticulate matter emissions: 22.14 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)

carbon dioxide emissions: 1.3 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 11.12 megatons (2020 est.)
particulate matter emissions: 25.59 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)

carbon dioxide emissions: 11.97 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 59.08 megatons (2020 est.)
Total water withdrawalmunicipal: 143.1 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

industrial: 47.7 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

agricultural: 1.166 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
municipal: 527 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

industrial: 25 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

agricultural: 4.632 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
Revenue from forest resourcesforest revenues: 6.19% of GDP (2018 est.)forest revenues: 2.19% of GDP (2018 est.)
Revenue from coalcoal revenues: 0.03% of GDP (2018 est.)coal revenues: 0.02% of GDP (2018 est.)
Waste and recyclingmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 1,297,844 tons (2013 est.)municipal solid waste generated annually: 9,276,995 tons (2012 est.)

Source: CIA Factbook