Lake Kivu and Lake Malawi are related in that they are both rift valley lakes. Rift valley lakes are formed when tectonic plates move apart, creating a depression that fills with water. Lake Kivu is located in the Albertine Rift, which is part of the East African Rift System, while Lake Malawi is located in the East African Rift. Despite their similarities, the two lakes are located in different parts of the African continent - Lake Kivu is located in Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, while Lake Malawi is located in Malawi, Tanzania, and Mozambique.