The British Central Africa Protectorate (BCA) is a protectorate proclaimed in 1889 and ratified in 1891 that occupies the same area as present-day Malawi: it is renamed Nyasaland in 1907.
British interest in the area arose from visits by David Livingstone from 1858 onward during his exploration of the Zambezi area.
This encouraged missionary activity starting in the 1860s, followed by a small number of settlers.
The Portuguese government attempted to claim much of this area, but their claims were disputed by the British government.
To forestall a Portuguese expedition claiming effective occupation, a protectorate is proclaimed, first over the south of this area, then over the whole of it in 1889.
After negotiations with the Portuguese and German governments in its boundaries, the protectorate is formally ratified by the British government in May, 1891.
