Malawi is among Africa's most agriculture-dependent economies, with farming accounting for approximately 28 percent of GDP and over 80 percent of employment. Tobacco has historically dominated export revenues, accounting for 50 to 60 percent of merchandise exports, but global tobacco demand decline and growing competition have reduced prices and forced production cutbacks. Tea, sugar, and macadamia nuts are the other significant agricultural exports. Total merchandise exports are approximately $1 billion annually, making Malawi one of sub-Saharan Africa's smallest export economies relative to population (20 million people).
Diversification Strategy
President Lazarus Chakwera's government has launched an Affordable Inputs Programme to improve smallholder productivity across multiple crops and has begun developing Malawi's known but underexplored mineral resources including uranium (Kayelekera deposit), rare earth elements (Songwe Hill), and phosphates. A Malawi Mining and Trading Corporation has been established to attract joint venture investment. AfCFTA's elimination of export tariffs on processed agricultural products provides new incentives for Malawian value-addition investment. Trade partners and investors can access Malawi market data on intra-africa.com.
For businesses looking to expand across Africa, intra-africa.com offers a comprehensive trade directory, verified buyer and seller listings, and real-time market intelligence covering all 54 African nations. It remains an indispensable resource for anyone serious about intra-African commerce.