List of Presidents of Malawi: Past and Present

Last updated November 2026

This page lists the presidents and heads of state of Malawi from 1966 to the present, with the years each leader was in office and a short summary of their time in power. Use it to find the current president of Malawi, former presidents, and key dates in the country's political history.

Current president of Malawi: Peter Mutharika (in office since 2025).

Presidents of Malawi in order, with years in office

Hastings Kamuzu Banda

Served: 1966–1994

Malawi's first president; declared president for life in 1971 and left office in 1994 after the first multiparty election.

Bakili Muluzi

Served: 1994–2004

Won the 1994 multiparty election and served two terms.

Bingu wa Mutharika

Served: 2004–2012

Died in office on 5 April 2012.

Joyce Banda

Served: 2012–2014

Vice president who became Malawi's first female president after Mutharika's death.

Peter Mutharika

Served: 2014–2020, 2025–present

Brother of Bingu wa Mutharika; his 2019 election win was annulled by the courts and he lost the 2020 rerun, then returned after the September 2025 election and was sworn in on 4 October 2025.

Lazarus Chakwera

Served: 2020–2025

Won the 2020 rerun election and served until October 2025, when he lost to Mutharika.

Frequently asked questions about the presidents of Malawi

Who is the current president of Malawi?

The current head of state of Malawi is Peter Mutharika, in office since 2025.

Who were the previous presidents of Malawi?

The presidents and heads of state of Malawi listed on this page, in order, are: Hastings Kamuzu Banda, Bakili Muluzi, Bingu wa Mutharika, Joyce Banda, Peter Mutharika, Lazarus Chakwera.

Who was the first president of Malawi?

Hastings Kamuzu Banda was the first president of Malawi, in office 1966–1994.

Sources: Wikipedia, List of heads of state of Malawi and President of Malawi; AP report on the 4 October 2025 swearing-in (checked Nov 2026). Malawi has had six presidents since 1966.. Last reviewed November 2026.

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