The EXECUTIVE
The Executive Arm of Government comprises of the Presidency (President and First Vice President, Second Vice President and Cabinet Ministers and Deputy Ministers. The executive is headed by the state President, who is also the commander-in-chief of the Malawi Armed Forces and Malawi Police Service.
The Current President of the Republic of Malawi is His Excellency Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika. Professor Mutharika was elected as the seventh President of the Republic of Malawi on 16th September, 2025. The First Vice President is Right Honourable Dr. Jane Ansah SC, JA (Rtd) and the Second Vice President is Right Honorable Enoch Chihana.
The Swearing-in and Inauguration of the seventh President took place on 4th October, 2025 at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre under the theme A Return to Proven Leadership: Building Malawi Together.
Cabinet
The Cabinet of Malawi is the executive branch of the government, made up of the President of Malawi, First Vice President, Second Vice President, Ministers and Deputy Ministers responsible for different government portfolios.
The Cabinet List
- President and Commander In-chief of the Malawi Armed Forces
His Excellency Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika
- First Vice President
Right Honourable Dr. Jane Ansah, SC, JA Rtd.
- Second Vice President
Right Honourable Enoch Kamzingeni Chihana
- Minister of State
Honourable Alfred Ruwan Gangata
- Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Decentralisation
Honourable Joseph Mwanamvekha, M P
- Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development
Honourable Roza Mbilizi Fachi, MP
- Minister of Education, Science and Technology
Honourable Bright Msaka, S C
- Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs
Honourable Charles Mhango
- Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
Honourable George T. Chaponda, M P
- Minister of Health and Sanitation
Honourable Madalitso Baloyi, MP
- Minister of Local Government and Rural Development
Honourable Ben Malunga Phiri, MP
- Minister of Industrialisation, Business, Trade and Tourism
Honourable George Patridge
- Minister of Transport and Public Works
Honourable Feston Kaupa, MP
- Minister of Homeland Security
Honourable Peter Mukhito
- Minister of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare
Honourable Mary Navicha, MP
- Minister of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining
Honourable Jean Mathanga, MP
- Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development
Honourable Jappie Mhango, MP
- Minister of Labour Skills and Innovation
Honourable Joel Chigona, MP
- Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture
Honourable Patricia Wiskies, MP
- Minister of Information and Communications Technology
Honourable Shadrick Namalomba, MP
- Deputy Minister of Health and Sanitation
Honourable Chimwemwe Chipungu, MP
- Deputy Minister of Homeland Security (Operations)
Honourable Norman Chisale, MP.
- Deputy Minister of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare
Honourable Martha Ngwira, MP.
- Deputy Minister of Education, Science and Technology
HISTORY OF THE PRESIDENCY OF THE REPUBLIC OF MALAWI
The presidency of the Republic of Malawi was founded on 6th July 1966 when the country became a Republic after gaining its independence from Britain on 6th July, 1964.
Malawi’s presidency evolved from autocratic rule between 1964 and 1994 to a democratic one following a 1993 National Referendum in which Malawians opted for multiparty democracy over the one party system of government.
The Constitution of the Republic of Malawi permits a president to serve for a five-year term with a maximum of two consecutive terms, although non-consecutive terms are also permitted. The president serves as both Head of State and Head of Government.
Malawi’s first President, Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda of Malawi Congress Party (MCP) ruled Malawi from 1964 to 1994 under a one-party system.
In 1994 Dr. Bakili Muluzi of the United Democratic Front (UDF) became Malawi’s second president after defeating Dr. Banda in the 17th May, 1994 General Elections. These elections ended the one party rule of Dr. Banda and ushered in political pluralism in the country.
Professor Bingu Wa Mutharika of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) succeeded Dr. Muluzi in 2004. After his death in 2012, Vice President Dr. Joyce Banda of the People’s Party became the country’s first female president, serving until 2014. She lost to Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika of the DPP in the May 2014 elections. Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika governed Malawi from 2014 to 2020.
Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera of MCP succeeded Professor Mutharika following the June 2020 election re-run.
Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika returned to office on 4th October 2025 after winning presidential election held on 16th September, 2025.
The peaceful transfer of power between political parties highlights Malawi’s democratic resilience across six decades of independence from colonial rule.