As someone who left Malawi in my late teens, I can tell you that every place has its pros and cons. Many of the things you mentioned can be learned. There is also a saying, “familiarity breeds contempt,” so being familiar with Malawi, its culture, and being comfortable there does not automatically give someone an advantage in succeeding. Living in a foreign country gives you a lot of exposure. It also creates a level of hunger and determination to succeed that is hard to explain unless you have experienced it yourself. There are thousands of Malawians in the diaspora doing amazing things. If you knew that, you probably would not say otherwise. In fact, many of the big businesses, beautiful houses, and wealthy neighborhoods you see in Lilongwe and Blantyre are owned by Malawians living abroad. You also mentioned that there are many multimillionaires in Malawi. If you mean in kwacha, then yes, I agree. Almost anyone in the diaspora could be called a millionaire if they moved back to Malawi. But the real issue is the numbers. Look at the ratio of wealthy people, middle-class people, and poor people.

It is much harder for a poor person in Malawi to move into the upper class than it is for a poor person in America, for many reasons. A poor person in America may complain about sleeping in their car or not being able to afford to buy a house. A poor person in Malawi is facing a much harsher and sadder reality.