Swiss traders settled in the country in the 1930s when it was the British Protectorate of Nyasaland. Dependence was declared in 1964. The new Republic of Malawi was immediately recognized by Switzerland. The two countries established diplomatic relations in 1966.

Malawi is not one of the priority countries for Swiss development cooperation. However, it benefits from the regional programme of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).