U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has praised Malawi President Joyce Banda for making key reforms since taking office in April.

Clinton met with President Banda in the capital, Lilongwe on Sunday, as the top U.S. diplomat continued her multi-nation tour of Africa.

Clinton said Ms. Banda's reforms have helped boost the impoverished country's economy. The reforms prompted the United States to restore aid to Malawi.

Ms. Banda took power after the sudden death of her predecessor, Bingu wa Mutharika. She is Malawi's first woman president.

Ms. Banda said she had looked forward to meeting Clinton, and that they both have long been advocates for women and children.

The U.S. envoy will now travel to South Africa, Nigeria, Benin and Ghana.

So far, Clinton has made stops in Senegal, Uganda, South Sudan and Kenya.