In the bustling market alleys of Dzaleka Refugee Camp in Dowa, Malawi, food brings people together. With a large community from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, Rwanda, and beyond, the camp's backyard kitchens and small stands offer bold, comforting flavors that are affordable and full of heart.
One standout is the Rolex at King Chapati. Run by a Congolese-Ugandan refugee entrepreneur known as King (who arrived in Malawi in 2012 and uses his mother's Ugandan recipe), this spot serves the classic street food: a fresh chapati wrapped around a savory omelet with onions, tomatoes, and sometimes other vegetables. It's become legendary in the camp — so popular that the business even expanded to Lilongwe in 2019.
Read more about King Chapati and the Rolex here:
Photo Exhibition on Entrepreneurship for Migrants and Refugees
Congolese home cooking shines in places like Nsimire's small restaurant in the heart of the market. After fleeing conflict in the DRC in 2017, Nsimire opened her spot to serve dishes from home — think hearty fufu (a smooth, dough-like staple) paired with sombe (pounded and stewed cassava leaves). Her kitchen is tiny (barely fits ten people) but passionate, feeding compatriots and others with the same love she once brought to her restaurant back home.
Learn about Nsimire's inspiring story and restaurant directly from the World Food Programme:
WFP – Refugee Day: Cash grants power business dreams for DRC refugees in Malawi
Grilled meat — nyama choma — is another highlight. Fresh goat or other meats are seasoned simply and cooked over open fires at barbecue stands. It's so beloved that visitors from outside the camp travel long distances to enjoy it, making it part of Dzaleka's identity.
See this documented in the UNCTAD/IOM/UNHCR photo exhibition notes:
UNCTAD – Photo Exhibition on Entrepreneurship for Migrants and Refugees
The market is alive with chapati stands, tea houses, and the smells of fresh cooking — all created by resilient people turning challenges into opportunity.
