Presidents of Malawi

Every head of government since independence on 6 July 1964: 6 presidents and 7 presidencies, from Hastings Kamuzu Banda to Peter Mutharika.

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In office now
Peter Mutharika
DPP 4 October 2025 to today (1 year, 1 month)
He returned to office after winning the September 2025 election.
Vice Presidents: Jane Ansah, Enock Chakufwa Chihana (Second VP)
Photo: U.S. Department of State, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Lazarus Chakwera
MCP 28 June 2020 to 4 October 2025 (5 years, 3 months)
He won the court-ordered 2020 re-run. His Vice President Saulos Chilima died in a plane crash in June 2024. He lost the 2025 election.
Vice Presidents: Saulos Chilima, Michael Usi
Photo: U.S. Department of State from United States, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Peter Mutharika
DPP 31 May 2014 to 28 June 2020 (6 years)
He won in 2014. The Constitutional Court annulled his 2019 win and he lost the 2020 re-run.
Vice Presidents: Saulos Chilima, Everton Chimulirenji
Photo: U.S. Department of State, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Joyce Banda
PP 7 April 2012 to 31 May 2014 (2 years, 1 month)
She was Malawi's first woman President. As Vice President, she took over when Bingu wa Mutharika died.
Vice President: Khumbo Kachali
Photo: Secretary of Defense, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Bingu wa Mutharika
UDF, then DPP 24 May 2004 to 5 April 2012 (7 years, 10 months)
He was elected on the UDF ticket in 2004, founded the DPP in 2005 and was re-elected in 2009. He died in office.
Vice Presidents: Cassim Chilumpha, Joyce Banda
Photo: Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Bakili Muluzi
UDF 24 May 1994 to 24 May 2004 (10 years)
He won the first multiparty election in 1994 and was re-elected in 1999, then stepped down at the two-term limit.
Vice President: Justin Malewezi
Photo: L. Masina for VOA, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Hastings Kamuzu Banda
MCP 6 July 1966 to 24 May 1994 (27 years, 10 months)
He was Prime Minister from independence on 6 July 1964, then the first President when Malawi became a republic in 1966. He was declared President for Life in 1971 and lost the first multiparty election in 1994.
Photo: National Archives of Malawi, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons