Joyce Hilda Banda
Former President of Malawi
- Country
- Malawi
- Office
- President
- Joined
- Announced 29 November 2025
- Young UWL
- Young UWL International Youth Day webinar, 20 August 2026
Biography
Joyce Banda is a former President of Malawi and the country’s first female Head of State.
During her presidency she devalued the Malawian kwacha to unlock international credit lines, restored relations with the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, and secured more than $500 million in foreign aid for the national economy. Her Presidential Initiative on Maternal Health and Safe Motherhood helped reduce maternal mortality by more than 30 per cent.
Through the Joyce Banda Foundation, which has supported more than 1.3 million people across Malawi, she has expanded education and microfinance opportunities for women.
She joined United World Leaders as an Honorary Board member in November 2025.
From the Institution’s announcement of 29 November 2025. The original release (PDF)
