Malawi’s Hospitality Boom: Capitalizing on the 2025 Tourism Surge

Key Business Points

• Profit growth: Major hospitality companies in Malawi, including Sunbird Hotels Limited and Blantyre Hotels Limited, are expected to post substantial profit growths, with increases ranging from 23% to 526%.
• Investment opportunities: The construction of high-end hotel outfits, such as the one at Lilongwe Golf Club, presents opportunities for investment and growth in the hospitality sector.
• Economic contribution: The hospitality and tourism sector is projected to grow by 4.9% and contribute 11% to the economy by 2030, making it a significant area of focus for zifukwa za biashara (business opportunities) and maendeleo ya uchumi (economic growth).

The Malawian hospitality industry is experiencing a significant growth trajectory, with major companies posting substantial profit growths. Sunbird Hotels Limited, the country’s largest hotel chain, is expected to make a profit of between K13 billion and K15.1 billion, representing an increase of between 23% and 43% from the previous year. This growth is a testament to the kuvutana kwa uchumi (economic recovery) and the increasing demand for hospitality services in the country.

Blantyre Hotels Limited has also turned around its loss-making streak, expecting to rake in between K5.57 billion and K5.84 billion in profit this year. This represents a growth in profitability of between 507% and 526%, attributed to the company’s ongoing project of constructing a high-end hotel outfit at Lilongwe Golf Club. The company had raised over K62 billion from the capital market to complete the financing of the project, which is expected to kuleta maendeleo (bring development) to the hospitality profile in the capital city.

The government-owned Umodzi Holdings Limited (UHL) also registered a profit after tax of K3.41 billion, a significant increase compared to the previous year. This strong performance reflects a sustained recovery in the hospitality and tourism sector, driven by the growth in tourism-related activities, particularly the increased number of meetings, incentives, conferences, and events (MICE) hosted at the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) and the Presidential Hotel.

The sector’s projected growth rate of 4.9% is higher than the 3.6% registered in 2024, with authorities targeting its contribution to the economy to reach 11% by 2030. This presents fursa za biashara (business opportunities) for entrepreneurs and investors looking to tap into the growing hospitality and tourism sector. As the sector continues to grow, it is likely to have a positive impact on the overall uchumi wa Malawi (Malawian economy), creating jobs and stimulating economic activity.

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