Uptake of dual citizenship by Malawians in Zimbabwe increases

Malawians living in Zimbabwe are increasingly taking advantage of the right to dual citizenship, enabling them to hold passports from both countries under constitutional provisions. This development was highlighted by Malawi's Ambassador to Zimbabwe, General (Retired) Peter Namathanga, during a meeting with Malawian residents at a local church in Entumbane, Bulawayo, on Saturday.

The meeting provided a platform for Malawians in Zimbabwe to engage with the ambassador on issues such as passport access, birth certificates, and business opportunities. "We have seen a huge uptake of Malawians living in Zimbabwe acquiring dual citizenship as allowed by our country's constitution. The law was put in place in 2021 and we encourage our people living in foreign countries, including Zimbabwe, to apply for dual citizenship," Ambassador Namathanga said in an interview on the sidelines of the meeting.

The ambassador also highlighted areas where Malawi could learn from Zimbabwe, particularly in the mining and agriculture sectors. "Zimbabwe has a rich mining sector and its economy continues to grow, supported by gold and other minerals. Agriculture is also a key sector that we are willing to learn from Zimbabwe, and we are exploring avenues to tap into the knowledge that the Zimbabwean Government can assist us with. Relations between Malawi and Zimbabwe continue to grow," he said.

Professor Isaac Silumbu, the Malawi Consul to Matabeleland, noted that the two countries share a long-standing historical connection, dating back to decades when Malawians migrated to Zimbabwe in search of work in the railway construction industry and other sectors. "Labour migration has played a critical role in shaping Malawi's social and economic landscape throughout the 20th century," said Prof Silumbu. "By 1948, 40 percent of Malawi's able-bodied men were estimated to be abroad due to labour migration, and by the 1960s, over 60,000 Malawians were in South Africa alone."

The initiative to facilitate dual citizenship has been ongoing, with embassy officials previously visiting towns such as Nguboyenja, Gweru, Gwanda, and Harare to assist people of Malawian descent in registering for dual nationality. Second Secretary (Immigration) Mr Sebastian Golody Lichapa explained that the exercise, conducted in partnership with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), targets individuals eligible for citizenship by descent.

"Under an amended Act of the Malawian Constitution, Malawians living in other countries who qualify under dual citizenship fall under three categories — citizenship by birth, by descent, and by registration," Mr Lichapa said. "For someone to qualify, they must hold a passport from their host country and provide proof that one or both parents were born in Malawi, using documents such as old passports, marriage certificates, or national identity documents."

The 2021 law granting dual citizenship aims to facilitate travel, enhance access to opportunities, and strengthen the connection between Malawians living abroad and their country of origin. According to embassy officials, roughly half of the Malawian population in Zimbabwe already holds Zimbabwean passports and is now eligible to obtain Malawian passports through the programme.