Country-specific food composition databases (FCDB) are key resources in addressing nutrition and health-related concerns in a country. A multi-sectoral, multi-national project was initiated with the objective to develop the first country specific FCDB and tables for the country. A sequential exploratory approach was employed, commencing with desktop research collecting relevant information prior to completing a scoping mission which informed the approach and subsequent methods employed. Capacity building, data collection, quality assessment, compilation and quality assurance resulted in a DB comprising 316 food items, 8 food groups and 42 components. The baby food group encompassed the largest group contributing 27%, while fats and oils contributed 2% of foods to the DB. Malawian literature contributed 63%, of which peer-reviewed literature and student physicochemical research projects added 43% and 54%, respectively. Twenty-three percent of Malawian data comprised recipes with staples the largest contributor at 45%. The percentage of missing values respectively ranged between 13% and 51% for thiamin and biotin, while ranging between 5.4% and 68% for iron and selenium, respectively. The proximate profile except for ash was complete. Leveraging existing scientific literature, research projects, platforms and networks proved to be a viable approach to establish a country-specific FCDB and food composition data system in the country. •Harnessing scientific literature and networks to establish a composition database.