The former President of the Assemblies of God denomination in Malawi is now the President of the African nation.

Lazarus Chakwera won the election with 58 per cent of the votes, after over one year of turmoil in the country surrounding a cancelled election last year. Chakwera was declared the winner on Saturday evening by the Malawi Electoral Commission.

"I pledge to run Malawi well, because that is the surest pay-off that has been long in ruins, riddled with potholes of greed and corruption. And in making this pledge, I am accepting this call to serve you with joy and holy fear for I am duty-bound to God and by God and all of you," says Chakwera, as reported in Evangelical Focus.

Chakwera has a Master's degree in theology from the University of South Africa and was awarded a doctorate of ministry from Trinity International University in the United States in 2000. He served as the President of Malawi Assemblies of God from 1989 until 2013, and also taught theology at the denomination's university.

Chakwere has served as the leader of the Malawi Congress Party since 2013.

In his victory speech, Chakwera spoke of moving the country past dreaming of a better future, and working towards one.

"The time has come for us to go beyond dreaming. We all must wake up because this is a time to arise from slumber and make our dream come true."