ZimTrade explores Malawian market
Zimbabwe’s national trade development and promotion organisation, ZimTrdae, will lead an Outward Seller Mission to Blantyre, Malawi, from May 13 to May 15, 2025.
The mission will include a delegation of 10 Zimbabwean businesses that will explore opportunities in Malawi, in a development that could boost trade between the two nations.
The Zimbabwean companies will explore opportunities in sectors such as agricultural inputs and implements, fast-moving consumer goods (FMCGs), building and construction, household and office furniture, packaging, and personal protective equipment (PPEs).
“Malawi is a strategic market for Zimbabwean exporters, and we are excited to lead this mission to explore new trade opportunities. We are confident that our delegation will make valuable connections and secure new business deals,” said ZimTrade director of operations.
The Malawi Outward Seller Mission will build on the success of previous ZimTrade programmes in Malawi, notably the 2021 mission which generated over US$1,5 million in orders.
Zimbabwe’s exports to Malawi have been on an upward trajectory, reaching US$27,4 million in 2023 from US$11,1 million in 2022. Key exports include paper, mineral fuels and oils, electrical machinery, and ceramics.
The mission will feature a business forum, scheduled business-to-business (B2B) meetings, a trade exhibition, and company and factory tours, all designed to facilitate direct interaction and foster business partnerships.
ZimTrade’s decision to explore opportunities in Malawi follows a comprehensive market survey conducted in 2019, along with insights from subsequent trade missions in 2021 and 2022.
Factors such as Malawi’s homogeneous consumer preferences, geographical proximity and reduced logistics cost make it an attractive market for Zimbabwean products.
The primary objectives of the mission include growing export volumes, narrowing the trade imbalance currently favouring Malawi, and generating substantial business leads.
ZimTrade aims to facilitate long-term business partnerships that contribute to sustained economic growth in both countries.
The Zimbabwean companies have been selected based on their alignment with sectors that present significant opportunities in Malawi.
The companies must be “export-ready”, demonstrating strong management commitment, sufficient production capacity, and high product quality.
One of the biggest challenges faced by Zimbabwean exporters is market access.
The mission seeks to break down barriers to the challenge by facilitating meetings with pre-selected potential buyers, a feat that would be difficult for individual companies to achieve independently.
The current trade volume between Malawi and Zimbabwe stands at US$27,4 million in 2023.
ZimTrade anticipates substantial growth in this figure, driven by increasing demand for Zimbabwean agricultural inputs, FMCGs, and building materials. This outward seller mission represents a significant step towards strengthening economic ties between Zimbabwe and Malawi, fostering
mutual growth and development.-herald