1985: Established Ndekani Garments

1985: Established Akajuwe Enterprises

1989: Founded the National Association of Business Women (NABW)

1995: Established Kalingidza Bakery

1997: Received the Africa Prize for Leadership for the Sustainable End of Hunger

1997 and 1998: Named Woman of the Year, Malawi

1997: Sculpted for the Hall of Fame in recognition for championing women and children’s rights

1998: Founded the Joyce Banda Foundation

1998: Received the International award for entrepreneurship development from the Africa Federation of Woman Entrepreneurs and Economic Commission for Africa

1998: Received the 100 Heroines Award
1999: Won a parliamentary seat in Malawi’s third democratic election

2001: Awarded Certificate of Honors by the Federation of World Peace and Love, Taiwan, Republic of China

2004: Re-elected as member of Muluzi’s Party

2004-2006: Served as Minister of Gender, Child Welfare and Community Services

2005: Received the “Role Models of Excellence” recognition

2006: Appointed as Foreign Minister

2006: Received the International Award for the Health and Dignity of Women for her dedication to the rights of the women of Malawi

2006-2009: Served as Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation

2009-2012: Served as Malawi’s first female Vice President

2009: Received Award of Recognition from the Black Mayors Caucus

2009: Received the Lifetime achiever Award by the Rehoboth Trust

2010: Became a member of the Global Leaders Council for Reproductive Health

2010: Named Nyasa Times Multimedia ‘Person of the Year
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2010: Received the Woman of Substance Award from the African Women Development Fund

2010: Started the Market Women in Development

2011: Founded and led the People’s Party

2011: Ranked 3rd in Forbes list of Most Powerful Women in Africa

2012: Became the fourth President of Malawi and the first female to hold the highest office

2012: Cut her salary by 30%

2012: Received the Martin Luther King Drum Major Award

2012: Awarded the Legends Award for Leadership by the Greater African Methodist Episcopal Church

2012: Ranked 71st in Forbes list of Most powerful Women in the World

2012: Ranked 1st in Forbes list of Most powerful Women in Africa

2013: ranked 47th in Forbes list of most powerful women in the world

2013: Ranked 1st in Forbes list of Most powerful Women in Africa

2013: chairman of SADC

Member of Parliament and Minister for Gender, Children’s Affairs and Community Services

Founded Young Women Leaders Network and the Hunger Project in Malawi

Has a Cambridge School Certificate,

a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Early Childhood Education from Columbus University,

a Bachelor of Social Studies in Gender Studies from the Atlantic International University,

a Diploma in Management of NGOs from the International Labour Organization (ILO) Centre

a Master of Arts Degree in Leadership at Royal Roads University

Fought to enact the Domestic Violence Bill

Designed the National Platform for Action on Orphans and Vulnerable Children

Designed the Zero Tolerance Campaign Against Child Abuse

Honorary Degree
2013: Received an honorary doctorate degree from Jeonju University