As a trading post lilongwe was officially recognised as a town in 1947.

Malawi lilongwe town. It owes its status to dr hastings banda the countrys first president who was born just north of the town. Pretoria and lilongwe deny malawis president had a hand in prophet bushiris flight from justice 16 november 2020 daily maverick johannesburg. It is an exceptionally green city with trees and patches.

It was a place of calm where you could browse at your own leisure in sharp contrast to the frenetic and occasionally intimidatory atmosphere of other shopping malls and markets in the capital. Lilongwe is malawis capital city named after the great lilongwe river that flows into lake malawi. In 1965 malawis first president hastings kamuzu banda selected it as an economic growth point for northern and central malawi.

The old town is where to go for bustling stores markets cafes hotels and restaurants. Lilongwe lilongwe became malawis capital in 1975 a role previously filled by zomba. The new town houses embassies international aid organizations and corporate headquarters.

The old town is distinct and separate from the new capital city.