This article lists events from the year 2026 in Malawi.
Incumbents President: Peter Mutharika Vice-President: Jane Ansah Second Vice-President: Enoch Chihana
Events January 5 January – President Peter Mutharika reshuffles his Cabinet, abolishing the Ministry of State and reassigning several ministers, as announced by Chief Secretary to the Government Justin Sadack Saidi. 6 January – Researchers announce the discovery of the oldest known intentional cremation pyre in Africa at the Hora 1 archaeological site in northern Malawi, dating to about 9,500 years ago. 14 January – FDH Bank announces a five-year sponsorship deal worth K5 billion for the top-flight football league, renaming it the FDH Bank Premiership and ending TNM’s 18-year sponsorship of the Super League of Malawi. 20 January – The Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority raises petrol and diesel pump prices by more than 40%, marking one of the largest fuel price increases in recent years and prompting concerns about rising transport and living costs nationwide. 23 January – At least one person is reported dead while 16 others are diagnosed with cholera following an outbreak of the disease in Chilomoni, Blantyre.
February 2 February – President Mutharika meets Luxembourg’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Xavier Bettel, in Lilongwe, highlighting strong bilateral relations and calls for increased investment between the two countries. 3 February The Supreme Court of Appeal rules that the Reserve Bank of Malawi must compensate Finance Bank for losses following the unlawful revocation of its licence in 2005. The government declares a polio outbreak. 13 February – President Mutharika delivers the State of the Nation Address (SONA) and officially opens the 2026/2027 budget meeting of Parliament. 17 February – Authorities in Chikwawa intercept a hearse transporting 30 bags of illegally traded charcoal concealed beneath an empty coffin, valued at around £1,200. The nine suspects later escape custody. 24 February – President Mutharika orders a fresh inquiry into the Chikangawa plane crash that killed former Vice-President Saulos Chilima and eight others in June 2024. 27 February – Finance Minister Joseph Mwanamveka unveils a nearly K11 trillion national budget for the 2026/2027 financial year during a parliamentary session in Lilongwe.
March
19 March – At least 13 people die following four days of heavy rain, with the flooding affecting multiple regions.
August
9 August — The Malawi women's national football team qualifies for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, a first for any edition in its history, after defeating Ghana 2–1 in the WAFCON quarter-finals. 16 August — Malawi finishes second at the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations after losing to Cameroon 3–0 at the final in Morocco.
September
17 September — A British national who was abducted in the previous week is rescued by police in Blantyre following an operation that leaves four of her abductors dead.
Holidays
1 January – New Year's Day 15 January – John Chilembwe Day 3 March – Martyrs' Day 21 March – Eid al-Fitr 3 April – Good Friday 6 April – Easter Monday 1 May – Labour Day 14 May – Kamuzu Day 6 July – Independence Day 15 October – Mother's Day 25 December – Christmas Day 26 December – Boxing Day
Deaths 8 January – Madalitso Kazombo, 46, politician, former first deputy speaker of the National Assembly.
References
External links Online calendar