Is it safe to withdraw cash in Malawi or not?
My guide in Malawi strongly advised against using standalone ATMs after dark. Even in cities, outages and low foot traffic can make it feel risky. I followed his advice and always withdrew cash before sunset.
I stayed in a village near Lake Malawi where there were no ATMs at all. I traveled to Mangochi and withdrew money midday. A few other travelers told me machines are often empty or powered down by night.
Blantyre had a few working ATMs, but only one near my hotel was operational after 7 PM. The bank security guard stood nearby, which helped. Still, the area emptied fast and felt a bit exposed.
In Lilongwe, I used a National Bank ATM at a petrol station around 8 PM. It was dimly lit, and I didn’t linger. ATM safety in Malawi at night isn’t guaranteed - most locals recommend doing all transactions during the day.