Madonna, centre, holds son David as her daughter, Lourdes, walks beside them in a visit to a Malawian orphanage in April 2007. The little boy is now almost three. (Karel Prinsloo/Associated Press)

A judge in Lilongwe, Malawi, has approved Madonna's adoption of a little boy.

Madonna and her husband Guy Ritchie, who have had custody of David Banda since October 2007, have been awaiting the court's decision on the adoption.

Malawian officials did a home study and told the court they were satisfied she was providing a good home for the boy, who will be three in November.

The adoption was controversial because the pop singer was able to quickly get custody of David, who had been living in an orphanage.

Child advocacy groups claimed she was given preferential treatment when Madonna was able to take the child to the U.K., because Malawian law requires a period of residency for prospective parents.

David's mother died when he was a month old and his father put him in an orphanage, saying he could not care for him.

The biological father has said he does not object to the adoption.

Madonna has created a charity to help support Malawian orphanages. She and Ritchie have two other children, Lourdes and Rocco.

With files from the Associated Press