Information for Participants

Dear Participants,

Welcome to Malawi and to the 2010 Joint Annual Meetings of the African Union (AU) Conference of Ministers of Economy and Finance and the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development.

Please find below some general information on meeting arrangements which you may find useful.

1. -       GENERAL INFORMATION ON MALAWI

Malawi is a landlocked country bordered by Zambia on the northwest, the United Republic of Tanzania on the northeast and Mozambique on the east, south and west. A former British colony, Malawi occupies a total land area of 118,000square kilometres. The greater part of the country is covered by Lake Malawi. The country is divided into three regions, namely Northern, Central and Southern regions respectively. The country’s population is 14 million. Lilongwe is the country’s capital city and is situated in the central region, while Blantyre, the commercial capital is situated in the southern region. Malawi’s economy is mainly agro-based and dependent on a single rainfall regime which usually runs from November to April. Winter starts in May through July. Malawi currently is in the rainy season and the weather is slightly humid, so participants are advised to carry umbrellas.