Malawi in Africa boosts tourism, waives visa for 79 countries

Monday, February 12, 2024

Malawi in Africa boosts tourism and signals that it is open for business by eliminating visa requirements for 79 key source markets globally.

In a bid to boost tourism, Malawi has lifted visa requirements for visitors from 79 countries, President Lazarus Chakwera told Parliament on Friday.

Tourism is the third-largest source of foreign currency in the impoverished southern African nation, after tobacco and tea — but the sector is underperforming, Chakwera, said.

“Chief among the factors contributing to this is our country’s accessibility, which is why we have implemented the visa waiver program,” he added.

The United States, Britain, France, China, Russia and members of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), a regional bloc, are among the countries benefiting from the exemption.

Tourism Minister Vera Kamtukule told a news agency that onerous visa requirements had been throttling the country’s potential — and caused complaints.

Home to abundant wildlife, including elephants, hippos and crocodiles, the landlocked nation is partially covered by the waters of Lake Malawi, Africa’s third-largest freshwater lake.

Renowned for its crystal-clear waters, sandy beaches and diverse marine life, the lake is listed as a World Heritage site by UN culture agency UNESCO.

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