‘We are experiencing the most serious security policy situation since the Second World War. In a world characterised by growing uncertainty and rapid change, we must adapt the Foreign Service to safeguard Norwegian interests in the best possible way,’ said Minister of Foreign Affairs, Espen Barth Eide. 

These changes form part of a wider review of Norway’s Foreign Service. 

The embassy in Malawi is closing

The Embassy of Norway in Malawi was established in 2000. In recent years, Norwegian assistance to Malawi has amounted to around NOK 500 million annually. Priority areas for development cooperation include health, education, agriculture, and good governance. The Government has initiated a major reform of Norwegian development policy, known as Prosjekt Vendepunkt, which will influence the future direction of Norwegian development assistance. 

‘Norway will continue to contribute to development for the people of Malawi following the closure of the embassy. Norwegian development assistance channelled through multilateral organisations will continue. Concentrating our efforts through fewer channels will reduce the fragmentation of Norwegian aid. In the period ahead, we will assess the scope of our cooperation with civil society organisations, Norwegian institutions and other partners in Malawi,’ said Minister of International Development, Åsmund Aukrust. 

The embassy will close by the end of July 2027. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will return to the question of which embassies will in future be responsible for managing Norway’s diplomatic relations with Malawi and Zambia. 

‘Closing an embassy is always a difficult decision, but I must continually assess how we can make the best use of our resources,’ said the Minister of Foreign Affairs. 

About Norway’s foreign service: 

  • Norway’s Foreign Service has around 2,400 employees in total. Of these, just over 600 diplomats are posted to Norway’s 90 foreign service missions, alongside around 1,100 locally employed staff.   
  • Approximately 120 of the staff posted to Norway’s foreign service missions are seconded from other ministries and government agencies