Malawi has been ranked among the top 50 most food self-sufficient countries in the world, according to a groundbreaking study published in the journal Nature Food in May 2025.
The study, which assessed 186 countries based on their ability to feed their populations across seven major food groups, placed Malawi alongside seven other African nations that are defying the odds to meet a substantial portion of their food needs through local production.
According to the findings, Malawi scored particularly high in the production of fruits (243%) and starchy staples (221%), far surpassing the recommended dietary levels. However, the country still lags behind in dairy production, achieving only 17% of national requirements in that category.
A Testament to Local Agricultural Strength
The inclusion of Malawi on the global list of top food self-sufficient nations is a powerful acknowledgment of the country’s agricultural resilience and capacity for domestic food production, especially in crop-based categories. It underscores the enduring strength of smallholder farmers, who form the backbone of Malawi’s food systems.
In an era marked by food insecurity, rising global prices, and disruptions in supply chains, Malawi’s ranking reflects its capacity to feed its people from its own soil, particularly in staples like maize, cassava, sweet potatoes, bananas, and legumes such as beans and groundnuts.
Agriculture experts in Malawi have welcomed the ranking, noting that it offers encouragement to policymakers to invest more strategically in the sector.
“This shows that our small-scale farmers are doing something right. What we need now is investment in value addition, irrigation, and post-harvest technologies to bridge the gap in areas like dairy and protein,” said Dr. Thokozani Maluwa, an agricultural economist based in Lilongwe.
The Bigger Picture: African Countries on the Rise
Besides Malawi, other African countries that made the top 50 list include Mali, Niger, Cameroon, Senegal, South Sudan, Tunisia, and Morocco. Mali topped the African pack with impressive self-sufficiency in fruits (107%) and starchy staples (236%), while South Sudan had a remarkable dairy score of 303%.
The results reflect a broader reality across the continent: while most African countries remain dependent on imports for meat and dairy, they perform strongly in crop production, particularly in starches and legumes that form the core of many African diets.
Despite this, the report also warns that food self-sufficiency does not automatically translate to food security. Many African nations still face significant hurdles, including:
Climate shocks (droughts, floods, erratic rainfall)
Inadequate storage infrastructure
Limited access to irrigation and mechanized farming
Weak value chains and market access
What This Means for Malawi
Malawi’s strong ranking offers both hope and challenge. On one hand, it confirms the country’s untapped potential to feed itself and reduce its food import bill. On the other, it exposes the urgency of diversifying production, particularly in protein-rich foods such as dairy, fish, and meat, which remain underproduced.
If Malawi is to translate this potential into full food and nutrition security, experts say the country must invest in:
Expanding irrigation schemes to reduce reliance on rain-fed agriculture
Scaling up livestock and dairy development
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Building resilient value chains for fruits and vegetables
Enhancing access to financing, inputs, and training for smallholder farmers
“This is not just about growing more food, but about growing the right food, in the right quantities, and ensuring it reaches the people who need it most,” said nutritionist Patricia Nkhoma.
Final Word
The global recognition of Malawi’s food self-sufficiency is a moment to celebrate–but also a call to action. With deliberate policy, smart investments, and stronger support for local farmers, Malawi can move from being self-sufficient in crops to being fully food secure in every category.
In a world grappling with the twin crises of hunger and climate change, Malawi has a chance to lead by example–from subsistence to sustainability.