Malawi’s exports to the UK make up less than 4% of its global trade—despite 99.8% of goods qualifying for tariff-free access under the UK’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS). So what’s holding trade back?
That question was at the heart of a recent in-person session co-hosted by ASI and the Malawi Investment and Trade Centre (MITC), where around 60 stakeholders gathered to explore how to turn policy potential into practical results.
In 2023, Malawi’s global exports reached USD 1.03 billion—but the country still ranks 164th in export volume worldwide. And while its goods enjoy near-complete tariff-free access to the UK market under the DCTS, Malawian businesses continue to face barriers around compliance with UK import requirements—from labelling to sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) standards.
The event brought together a wide cross-section of voices, including the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Malawi Bureau of Standards, local banks, the Tea Association of Malawi, and the Malawi Chamber of Commerce. This level of collaboration is exactly what’s needed to create a more enabling trade environment.
A presentation by ASI Associate Rajiv Sharma identified five high-potential export value chains for the UK market: macadamia, soybeans, groundnuts, pigeon peas, and dried mango. He also highlighted where targeted investment and technical support could help unlock commercial viability at scale.
The session closed with a panel featuring government officials, trade practitioners, and representatives from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), covering everything from agricultural commercialisation to export financing strategies.
Unlocking Malawi’s export potential opens the door to a more sustainable kind of partnership—one rooted in trade, not just aid. This initiative is part of a broader effort to turn policy into practice, helping Malawi grow jobs and income through exports, while giving UK markets access to high-quality, ethically sourced goods. The UK’s commitment to fairer trade aligns closely with Malawi’s ambition to scale up production and attract investment in its agri-processing sectors.
With the right coordination and support, this is a trade relationship that can deliver for both sides.
As one participant put it: “Trade agreements are just the beginning. For Malawi, sustainable trade growth hinges on robust investment in the fundamental pillars of production, aggregation, logistics and access to markets.”
