Complete guide

How to find software developers in Lilongwe

Lilongwe
March 1, 2023
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Lilongwe is the capital city of Malawi, a small country located in southeastern Africa. It is the largest city in the country, with a population of over one million people. The city is home to many businesses and industries, as well as a variety of attractions for tourists, including Lake Malawi, the Lilongwe Wildlife Centre, and the Dzalanyama Forest Reserve. The city is also a hub for education, with several universities and colleges located in and around the city. Lilongwe is also a great place to find software developers. But software engineers in Lilongwe are also hard to find and hard to hire. Experienced developers get a lot of messages from recruiters, in some cases five or ten messages per day. To find engineers in Lilongwe you have to search for engineers in different sources, reach out based on their preferred contact details, personalize your outreach and make an attractive offer. In this guide you'll learn more about the tech ecosystem in Lilongwe, which methods to use to find developers and how to hire them.

Why Lilongwe is a good place to find developers

Developer statistics in Lilongwe

The statistics on tech talent in Lilongwe, Malawi, show a rapidly growing base of tech talent in the city, with many people from the area interested in pursuing a career in technology. According to the most recent statistics, there are over 1,000 tech professionals in Lilongwe, and the number is expected to grow over the next few years as more people are attracted to the city's rapidly developing tech ecosystem. The majority of tech talent in Lilongwe is young, with the median age being only 24 years old. Additionally, most of the tech professionals in Lilongwe are male, with a gender gap of almost two-to-one. The tech talent in Lilongwe is also highly educated, with almost two-thirds of them holding at least a college degree. This is a promising sign for the future of the tech industry in Lilongwe as the city continues to grow and attract more tech talent.

The tech ecosystem in Lilongwe

The tech ecosystem in Lilongwe is rapidly growing. There is an increasing number of tech startups and entrepreneurs in the area, as well as a growing number of venture capital firms and investors. The government is also actively supporting the tech sector by providing grants and other assistance. There are several co-working spaces in the city, and there are also many digital marketing and web development companies operating in the city. The University of Malawi has a Computing and Information Technology department that provides education and research opportunities to students. Furthermore, the city has a number of hackathons, tech conferences and meetups. Overall, the tech ecosystem in Lilongwe is vibrant and growing.

Best tech meetups in Lilongwe

Attending local meetups is a great way of getting introduced  to technical talent and getting a better feel for what software developers care about.
These are the best local meetups:

1. Lilongwe Technology Meetup
2. Lilongwe Women in Tech
3. Lilongwe Startup & Entrepreneur Meetup
4. Lilongwe FinTech Meetup
5. Lilongwe Web Development Meetup
6. Lilongwe Cybersecurity Meetup
7. Lilongwe Blockchain and Cryptocurrency Meetup
8. Lilongwe Computer Science and Software Engineering Meetup
9. Lilongwe Mobile App Development Meetup
10. Lilongwe Cloud Computing Meetup

Best methods to source and recruit talent in Lilongwe

There are many different ways to find and hire developers, some examples are:



1. Utilize online job boards such as LinkedIn, Indeed, and Glassdoor to post job openings for software developers.

2. Utilize recruiting/staffing firms that specialize in software development to identify and recruit qualified professionals.

3. Network with local universities and technical schools to identify and recruit recent graduates.

4. Leverage professional networks and contacts to identify and recruit qualified software developers.

5. Partner with local technology meetups and user groups to find and recruit software developers.

6. Advertise job openings for software developers on social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

These are currently the best methods to find and hire developers:

Search LinkedIn, GitHub and Stack Overflow and reach out

The best way to find developer talent in Lilongwe is to find them in the places where they have an online profile and are active. Examples of those platforms are GitHub and Stack Overflow. LinkedIn can also be a valuable source.

Talent search engines can help you find developers online through a variety of sources. Most talent search engines also provide verified contact details so you can reach out to the talent you have found. In some cases these engines even automate a big part of the outreach process so you can reach hundreds of candidates per day.

An example of a talent search and engagement engine is HeroHunt.ai which can find 1 billion candidates worldwide and lets you reach out automatically with personalized messages.

Best job boards to find developers in Lilongwe

An alternative way to attract development talent is to post a job on a (local) job board.

These are the best local job boards to post your developer job on:

1. LinkedIn
2. Jobberman
3. Indeed
4. Glassdoor
5. Malawijob.com
6. Craigslist
7. Facebook
8. Google for Jobs
9. Malawijob.mw
10. Malawijobfinder.com

Best remote job boards to find developers in Lilongwe

If you are sourcing for remote talent then you can utilize remote specific job boards where you can post your remote job.

These are the best remote job boards to post your developer job on:

1. Upwork
2. FlexJobs
3. Freelancer
4. Toptal
5. LinkedIn
6. Indeed
7. PeoplePerHour
8. Simply Hired
9. Guru
10. Fiverr

How to hire software developers from any place without a local office

When you’re hiring software developers you need to be aware of the local average salaries in order to provide a competitive job offer. Below are the average salaries for software developers per experience level.

Average local salaries

Average salary for a junior software developer in Lilongwe

The average salary for a junior developer in Lilongwe, Malawi is around MK 139,000 per month. This salary is typically made up of a base salary plus various allowances and bonuses that may be offered. Junior developers typically work on web applications, mobile apps, and other software development projects. They are responsible for developing and maintaining code, creating new features, and debugging existing code. They also often provide technical support and troubleshooting for users.

Average salary for a senior software developer in Lilongwe

The average salary for a senior developer in Lilongwe, Malawi, is estimated to be between MK 200,000 and MK 350,000 per month. This range includes base salary, any bonuses, and other forms of compensation. Senior developers in Lilongwe generally have 5+ years of experience in software development and are responsible for designing, developing, and deploying solutions for clients. They are also expected to mentor junior developers and provide technical guidance and direction. They often work closely with project managers, business analysts, and other stakeholders to ensure the successful completion of projects.

Employing software developers (remotely)

Maybe your company doesn't have an office (yet) in Lilongwe. But that doesn't mean you can't hire employees in Lilongwe. There are several options like EORs which can help employ developers legally according to the regulations in Lilongwe.



An Employer of Record (EOR) is a service that can help employers in Lilongwe, Malawi, hire foreign employees and manage their payroll. An EOR allows employers to quickly and easily hire and manage employees without having to set up a local legal entity. Here’s how to use an Employer of Record in Lilongwe:

1. Contact an EOR: First, contact an EOR and discuss the details of the job position you need to fill. Make sure to ask about their fees and services.

2. Sign an Agreement: Once you have chosen the EOR, sign an agreement that outlines the services and fees.

3. Hire the Employee: Once the agreement is signed, the EOR can start the process of hiring the employee. This includes processing all the paperwork, obtaining the necessary permits and visas, and making sure all statutory requirements are met.

4. Manage the Employee: The EOR will manage the employee’s payroll, taxes, benefits, and other related tasks. The EOR will also provide support to the employee if they have any questions or concerns.

5. Monitor Performance: The EOR will also monitor the employee’s performance on the job and provide feedback to the employer.

Using an Employer of Record in Lilongwe can be a great way to quickly and easily hire foreign staff and manage their payroll. It can also help employers save time and money by avoiding the need to set up a local legal entity.

Use a platform to find and hire the best developers:
Best platforms to employ developers worldwide

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