‘Another priority campaign theme is sustainable economic diversification. Given its heavy reliance on rain-fed agriculture for livelihoods, Malawi is particularly susceptible to variations in the weather. Home to one of Africa’s most youthful populations, with a median age of 17.8 years, Malawi’s population has nearly doubled in the past 20 years. Unless enough jobs can be created, Malawi is vulnerable to higher levels of petty and organized crime.
Malawi’s demographic pressures are resulting in ever smaller farm sizes and a 21-percent decline in its forests since 2022. The loss of forests, in turn, is contributing to declining soil fertility, biodiversity, and water retention. With 89 percent of Malawians lacking electricity, the demand for charcoal as an energy source puts further pressure on these land resources. The tree cover loss is leaving the country increasingly vulnerable to the devastation of cyclones—as seen by recent storms Idai and Freddy—and the growing prevalence of these intense weather events.‘

By Joseph Siegle and Hany Wahila, Africa Centre for Strategic Studies.