President Lazarus Chakwera told parliament on Friday that Malawi has removed visa requirements for visitors from 79 countries in a bid to boost tourism.
Tourism is the poor southern African country's third-largest source of foreign exchange after tobacco and tea, but the sector is underperforming, Chakwera said.
“The main factor contributing to this is our country's accessibility, which is why our country has implemented a visa waiver program,” he added.
The United States, Britain, France, China, Russia and members of the regional bloc Southern African Development Community (SADC) are among the countries benefiting from the exemption.
Tourism Minister Bela Kamtukle told AFP that onerous visa requirements were hampering the country's potential and causing complaints.
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“Our strategy is to attract investment in agriculture, tourism and mining,” Kamtukul said.
“By removing visa requirements for key source markets around the world, Malawi is demonstrating that it is open for business.”
Rich in wildlife such as elephants, hippos and crocodiles, this landlocked country is partially covered by the waters of Lake Malawi, Africa's third largest freshwater lake.
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Known for its crystal clear waters, sandy beaches and diverse marine life, this lake is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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