Shopping in Malawi

Malawi Shopping Guide

Lilongwe, Blantyre and Limbe offer the best shopping areas in Malawi. The bustling market in Old Town, Lilongwe, is one of the best places to shop in the country. Prices of most goods are very fair and the discerning shopper can go back with a pile of remarkable things.

Markets

Malawian markets, dotted throughout the country's cities, towns and trading posts are a muddle of every imaginable piece of merchandise. Filled with everything from exotic fruits to live animals, household goods, old electrical items and clothes from all corners of the world, these confused trading centres provide some of Africa's richest experiences.

Malawi is a strong agricultural country with over 80% of the population living from the land, so visitors will find fresh seasonal fruit and vegetables sold in most local markets and along all major roads. Apart from the local markets, other products such as Mandasi (fritters), Thobwa (a local drink), mphalabungu (Caterpillars), mice, birds and chicken feet are also sold along major routes serving as snacks for the passing trade or brave visitors.

Local Handicrafts

For most visitors however, shopping in Malawi is primarily about arts and crafts of which there is a wide variety, all very colourful and handmade. Undoubtedly these art and craft pieces make excellent souvenirs, gifts, or decorative items to adorn the living rooms. Popular items include exquisite wood carvings, vibrantly coloured textiles (batik clothes are really wonderful as are chitenja wraps), soapstone curios, cane and wood furniture, woven baskets, mats, beads, pottery and paintings. Chess sets and chief's chairs (a high backed chair made of two pieces of carved wood) are hot selling articles. Traditional musical instruments - you get very good drums of all sizes here - are another much sought after item by music buffs and tourists. Another good buy is malachite jewellery, different types of which are available.

Malls and Shopping Centres

Malawi may not be a rich country, but it is not lacking in shopping options, particularly in urban areas. Exclusive upmarket malls that cater mostly to tourists, wealthy Malawians and expats have sprung up in major cities like Blantyre and Lilongwe. There are of course the supermarket chains and convenience stores, indispensable to the modern day shopper anywhere in the world, where you get just about everything you require. The better ones are to be found in major cities though other larger towns and villages have their share too.

Some of the malls and shopping centres sport posh arts and crafts galleries where you can buy good but expensive stuff. On the other hand, you could take your pick from the array of products put on display at small markets and by street vendors. Many visitors vouch that shopping in Malawi at smaller markets and from hawkers is much more fun. Prices are usually inflated many times over but after a bit of haggling you can come away with some good buys.