The Catholic Diocese of Karonga is located in Northern Malawi, bordered by Tanzania, Zambia, and Mozambique. It covers the districts of Karonga and Chitipa, as well as parts of northern Rumphi, with its administrative centre in Karonga town. The area is predominantly Tumbuka speaking, with other local languages such as Lambya, Ndali, Nyakyusa, and Ngonde.
The diocese was created on 21st July 2010 by Pope emeritus Benedict XVI and officially inaugurated on 20th November 2010, when Rt. Rev. Martin Anwel Mtumbuka was consecrated as its first bishop. Previously, it was the Northern Deanery of the Diocese of Mzuzu.
At its establishment, the diocese covered about 12,000 km² with a population of 451,861, including 60,000 Catholics (14%). Today, the diocese serves an estimated 590,000 people across remote and mountainous areas such as Livingstonia, the Nyika Plateau, and the Misuku Hills, with Lake Malawi forming its eastern boundary.