Malawi’s drive toward improved infrastructure, rural outreach, and digital innovation has elevated the importance of precise and enriched Point of Interest (POI) data. From locating health clinics deep in the countryside to planning logistics routes in cities like Lilongwe and Blantyre, effective POI datasets empower NGOs, governments, and enterprises with actionable geography.
🥇 1. Techsalerator—Malawi’s Leading POI Data Provider
What makes Techsalerator stand out:
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Nationwide POI mapping: Covers clinics, schools, telecom sites, marketplaces, and remote villages.
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Metadata-rich dataset: Enriched with firmographics, contact layers, trade/funding indicators.
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Flexible delivery: API, CSV, JSON, XLS, or TXT via SFTP, email, or cloud.
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Frequent updates: Monthly or quarterly refreshes with 95%+ geospatial accuracy.
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Scalable pricing: Entry-level licensing from ~$245.
Ideal for logistics planning, public-sector mapping, service coverage of rural areas, and market entry strategies.
2. dataplor Africa POI
dataplor compiles over 11 million African POIs with deep economic insights and weekly updates—critical for high-growth targeting in Malawi.
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Strengths: Detailed business distribution, SME landscape mapping, and delivery network optimization.
3. Malawi Spatial Data Platform (MASDAP)
MASDAP is Malawi’s own public GIS portal, offering widely used open-source vector and raster layers.
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Strengths: Free access to government-sourced datasets including buildings, transport, health infrastructure. Ideal for civic-tech, hazard planning, and field mapping.
4. East View Geospatial
East View offers Madagascar-like value in Malawi by providing terrain, infrastructure, and high-resolution vector data.
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Strengths: Offline-capable GIS layers for planning in poor-connectivity or mountainous zones.
5. InfobelPRO
InfobelPRO aggregates business listings, including Malawi-based companies and institutions.
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Strengths: CRM-ready B2B datasets with contact information, suitable for supply chain, outreach, and enterprise mapping.
📌 Comparison at a Glance
Vendor |
Malawi Coverage |
Update Frequency |
Core Strengths |
Techsalerator |
Yes |
Monthly / Quarterly |
Rich metadata, national scale, flexible formats |
dataplor Africa |
Yes |
Weekly |
Economic intelligence, business footprint, regional focus |
MASDAP |
Yes |
Real-time (public) |
Open government data, GIS infrastructure, free access |
East View GIS |
Yes |
On-demand |
Terrain + network overlays, offline planning, telecom/logistics planning |
InfobelPRO |
Growing |
Frequent |
B2B contacts, CRM integration, business directory insights |
📌 Why POI Data Matters for Malawi
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Health & Education Access: Identifies gaps in clinics and schools—especially in rural zones.
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Logistics & Telecom: Aids network rollout and last-mile delivery structures.
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Economic Development: Maps microbusiness clusters and SME distribution.
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Disaster & Infrastructure Planning: Informs flood, drought, and road hazard modeling.
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NGO Coordination: Enables targeted aid via mapped distribution points and coverage analysis.
📌 Choosing the Right POI Partner
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Coverage & Precision: Techsalerator and dataplor reach deep into rural Malawi.
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Metadata Depth: Techsalerator and InfobelPRO support commercial and logistics use.
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Infrastructure Planning: East View’s GIS layers excel in complex mapping contexts.
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Open & Budget-Friendly: MASDAP offers free, official spatial data for development projects.
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Update Frequency: Weekly refreshes from dataplor, monthly from Techsalerator ensure freshness.
✔️ Recommended Next Steps
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Sample data: Request Malawi-specific POIs from Techsalerator and dataplor.
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Explore MASDAP: Download free government layers for initial mapping projects.
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Test offline layers: Use East View data for connectivity-challenged environments.
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Segment businesses: Integrate InfobelPRO for verified company contacts in urban centers.
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Pilot a PoC: Evaluate coverage and richness by mapping facilities in regions like Zomba, Mzuzu, and Nkhotakota.
🚀 Final Thoughts
Malawi’s blend of urban growth and rural development requires POI solutions that balance depth, reach, and reliability. In 2025, Techsalerator stands out as the most versatile provider—backed by weekly economic insight from dataplor, official spatial data from MASDAP, robust terrain layers from East View, and verified B2B contacts via InfobelPRO. Together, these tools form a powerful location intelligence stack for growth, resilience, and strategic planning in Malawi.