Malawi watches as Tanzania builds on Lake Malawi, anger boils over

As Tanzania builds a multi-billion-kwacha gateway on the disputed Lake Malawi, frustration is boiling over in Malawi, where many citizens say it is painful to watch a neighbour invest boldly in waters their country has long claimed as entirely its own while successive governments have failed to do the same.

The project, centred at Mbamba Bay in Tanzania’s Ruvuma Region, is nearing completion after an investment of more than Sh81 billion. Once operational, the upgraded port is expected to boost trade and transport across Lake Malawi, linking Tanzania with Malawi and Mozambique while opening new opportunities for regional commerce.

The development has reignited the decades-old Lake Malawi border dispute and unleashed a wave of criticism on X. While some Malawians defended the country’s longstanding claim over the lake, others said the bigger tragedy is that successive governments have allowed one of Malawi’s greatest natural assets to remain underdeveloped as neighbouring Tanzania pushes ahead with ambitious investment

Leading the debate, social media user Wongani insisted that Lake Malawi legally belongs to Malawi, arguing that historical agreements leave no room for doubt.

“Lake Malawi is Malawian yesterday, today, forever. In every nation’s story, there are symbols so rooted in its soul that their mention alone stirs emotion. For Malawi, that symbol is Lake Malawi,” he wrote.

Wongani cited the 1890 Heligoland-Zanzibar Treaty, saying it established the eastern shoreline as the international boundary, placing the lake within Malawi.

“That treaty made one thing crystal clear. The eastern shoreline of Lake Malawi is the international boundary. No middle-sharing. No ambiguity. It’s 100 percent Malawian,” he said.

He argued that Tanzania’s decision to build a port does not amount to ownership of the lake.

“Building a port does not mean owning the water. You can lease a house, but that doesn’t make you the landlord. Malawi retains full legal and sovereign control of Lake Malawi,” he added.

But many users said the real issue is not the border dispute but Malawi’s failure to transform the lake into an economic powerhouse.

“Tanzania is kind to the lake. At least they are building something this lake deserves. Sixty-two years with such a magnificent lake and the best port is still Monkey Bay. Honestly, what’s wrong with us?” wrote Jeff Shulu.

Another user, Litchade, did not hold back.

“We don’t have visionary leaders who put Malawi first… unfortunately,” the user posted.

Part of the 1890 Heligoland Treaty

The Lake Malawi territorial dispute remains unresolved, with Malawi and Tanzania holding different views over the lake’s boundary and ownership of its resources. Malawi bases its claim on the 1890 Heligoland Treaty, while Tanzania argues for a median-line border under modern international water principles.

The dispute resurfaced after decades of relative silence, especially when Malawi issued oil and gas exploration licences in the lake. Tanzania challenged activities in areas it considers part of its territory.

The latest tensions have been fuelled by developments such as Tanzania’s Mbamba Bay Port project and disagreements over official maps showing the border.