Independence Day in 2025

When in Malawi Independence Day?

Independence Day is a public holiday in Malawi observed on July 6th each year. If July 6th falls on a weekend, the following Monday will be a public holiday.

Also known as Republic Day, this is Malawi's National Day and commemorates independence from Britain on this day in 1966.

History of Malawi Independence Day

This landlocked country in southeast Africa was colonised by the British in the late 19th century, with the British Central Africa Protectorate created in 1891.

The region was renamed as Nyasaland (the name of the land before the arrival of the British) and joined with Northern and Southern Rhodesia in 1953 to form the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland. Local political efforts to seek independence in Malawi had begun as early as 1915 but gained momentum when Dr Hastings Kamuzu Banda returned to the country in 1958. IN 1961 his party won a clear victory in local elections, with the British Government agreed to give Nyasaland self-governing status in 1963. Later that year, Hastings Banda became Prime Minister and a new constitution took effect. The Federation was dissolved on December 31st 1963.

At midnight on July 6th 1966, Malawi became a fully independent member of the Commonwealth, with thousands attending the changing of the flag ceremony at the Central Stadium.

Did you know?

Despite being one of the world's least-developed countries, Malawi is known as "The Warm Heart of Africa" due to the friendliness of its people.

The marked is marked by ceremonies and prayer services held in the major cities and the capital, Lilongwe.

Flag of Malawi

Adopted in July 1964, the flag of Malawi has three horizontal lines made up of the colours; black, red, and green. The top black line has a red sunrise. Black symbolizes the citizens, red symbolises the blood that was shed for independence, green represents the vegetation and the rising Sun represents the dawn of a new era.