By Burnett Munthali
The Institute of Public Opinion and Research (IPOR) is a Malawian research institution based in the city of Zomba.
It was founded in 2013 with the ambition of becoming a center of excellence in the field of social science research, advisory, and consulting.
Since its establishment, IPOR has steadily grown into one of the most respected and reliable research organizations in Malawi and the region.
It specializes in key thematic areas such as governance, development and management, social policy, public health and livelihoods, data management and communications, and short-term professional training.
Its main office is located along Good Vision Camp Road in Mulunguzi, Zomba.
The organization is privately held and currently employs between 11 and 50 staff members, including both permanent and project-based researchers and consultants.
Over the years, IPOR has built a reputation for conducting timely and credible research that informs policy, development programs, and democratic processes in Malawi.
IPOR is also known for its pre-election surveys and governance assessments, which provide the public, policymakers, and political stakeholders with insights into voter perceptions and national mood.
Its recent dissemination of the National Pre-election Survey ahead of Malawi’s 2025 general elections is a demonstration of the organization’s continued relevance in national dialogue.
This particular study was carried out in every district of Malawi except Likoma, between July 6 and July 20, 2025, and focused on governance, trust in electoral processes, the economy, and voter preferences.
Earlier in the year, between December 2024 and January 2025, IPOR had conducted another major nationwide survey covering 27 districts, analyzing public expectations and concerns regarding the electoral process.
The institution collaborates with prominent international partners such as the Center for Evaluation and Development (C4ED), the Governance and Local Development Institute (GLD) at the University of Gothenburg, and Cornell University.
In March 2025, IPOR partnered with GLD and Cornell to recruit ethnographic research assistants for a resiliency project across eight districts in Malawi.
Beyond electoral research, IPOR has also been involved in long-term studies aimed at strengthening social protection systems, such as the Social Support for Resilient Livelihoods Project (SSRLP).
As part of this initiative, IPOR has conducted rigorous enumerator and supervisor trainings to ensure high-quality data collection in districts like Dedza, Lilongwe, Nkhotakota, Nkhatabay, and Rumphi.
The institution actively engages in capacity building, holding retreats for its staff to reflect on past achievements and set strategic priorities for the future.
Through its LinkedIn updates and consistent public engagement, IPOR continues to promote transparency, evidence-based research, and professionalism.
Its commitment to shaping public opinion with integrity and rigor has earned it widespread respect in both academic and policy-making circles.
More than a decade after its founding, IPOR stands out as a pivotal actor in the social research space in Malawi, providing reliable data that fuels informed national conversations.
