Malawi

Lilongwe is Malawi’s capital. The government moved the capital from Zomba to Lilongwe in 1975 to position the administration near the country’s geographic center and stimulate development in the central region. Today, Lilongwe hosts Parliament, State House, and most ministries. The other options are key Malawian cities but not the capital: Blantyre is the largest city and commercial hub; Zomba was the colonial and early post-independence capital; Mzuzu serves the northern region. Memory tip: “L for Leadership in Lilongwe”—the seat of government—while “B for Business in Blantyre.” Also, Lilongwe lies near the Zambia border along the Lilongwe River, underscoring its role as a national crossroads.