Malawi PEN was established in 1994 following a period when writers held a very uncertain position in Malawi. The Centre’s focus is the Promotion of Reading and Writing in Schools project, which concentrates on assisting schools with book donations and running literary programmes. The Centre has been particularly successful in working with marginalised communities and has run projects in reformatory schools and prisons.

The Centre works closely with the Malawi Writers Union with whom they hold joint monthly meetings and organise regular literary events.