Poverty and malnutrition are rife in Malawi. But a growing body evidence suggests the humble egg could be a highly effective remedy

Ben Farmer

Africa Correspondent

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Ben is based in South Africa and also works on The Telegraph's Global Health Security team. He spent five years in Kabul covering the Afghanistan war, five years as Defence Correspondent in London, and four years in Islamabad

Published 07 October 2026 1:21pm BST

The sun is barely up when villagers start queuing for eggs at the metal gate of Shamim Haried’s home.

By noon, all that day’s supply is usually sold out, but people keep coming and asking if there are any left.

Demand is so high that arguments can break out in the queue, says the mother-of-two who lives outside Malawi’s capital, Lilongwe.

Her eggs are cheaper and fresher than those sold in the market.

“The people almost fight for eggs: it’s hard to watch,” she explains.

“Eggs are the cheapest healthy protein that they can get and it’s better for them to buy here…