Economic and Political Overview

Malawi: Economic and Political Overview

In this page: Economic Indicators | Foreign Trade in Figures | Sources of General Economic Information | Political Outline | COVID-19 Country Response

Economic Indicators

For the latest updates on the key economic responses from governments to address the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, please consult the IMF's policy tracking platform Policy Responses to COVID-19.

Compared to other countries, Malawi's economy proved to be resilient to the Covid-19 crisis, mainly thanks to the dominant role played by the agricultural sector (Coface). After slowing down to 0.9% in 2020, GDP growth picked up to 2.2% in 2021, helped by a good harvest, and it is expected to further accelerate to 3.5% in 2022 and 4.5% in 2023 (IMF). Agricultural production and public investments will be the main drivers of growth (Coface).

Malawi's financial situation deteriorated due to the Covid-19 pandemic, as balance of payment and fiscal needs increased in the midst of declining revenues. In response to the health crisis, the authorities adopted measures including strengthening the health care system, stepping up social spending, ensuring food security, and easing liquidity constraints in the banking system (IMF). Economic activity started to recover in 2021, but public finances worsened. Public deficit (including grants) increased from -6.6% GDP in 2020 to -7.4% GDP in 2021, and is expected to widen to -10.4% GDP in 2022 before decreasing to -9.5% GDP in 2023 (IMF). Investments under the Malawi III growth and development strategy, as well as agricultural subsidies, will weigh on expenditures (Coface). Public debt continued to increase, from 54.7% GDP in 2020 to 59.3% GDP in 2021, and is expected to soar to 65.4% GDP in 2022 and 69.5% GDP in 2023 (IMF). Malawi’s large current account deficit is putting pressure on foreign exchange reserves, which represent less than six weeks of imports, leaving the economy vulnerable to shocks (Coface). The IMF expressed concerns over Malawi’s high risk of overall and external public debt distress. The depreciation of the Malawian kwacha (more than 6% in 2021) and increases in prices for fuel, fertilizers, and food pushed inflation up to 9.5% in 2021 (IMF). It is expected to remain high in 2022 (9%) and to decline to 6.9% in 2023 (IMF). The government's priority, outlined in the Covid-19 Socio-Economic Recovery Plan 2021-2023, is to support economic recovery while preserving macroeconomic stability. In the long term, President Chakwera’s Malawi Vision 2063 aims for the country to reach upper-middle income status by 2063 by investing in physical and human capital (IMF). Malawi has expressed its interest in a new Extended Credit Facility arrangement with the IMF, but progress towards an arrangement depend on strong commitment to an adjustment program as well as sizeable financing support from the international community and regional development banks (IMF).

In Malawi, poverty has been increasing in rural areas where 85% of the population lives, compared to urban areas where it fell significantly from 25% to 17%. Unemployment was around 6% in 2020 (World Bank). Other challenges include addressing scarce skilled human resources, providing healthcare, and managing population growth. The country has made progress in combating AIDS, although 10% of the population is HIV-positive.

Main Indicators	2020	2021 (e)	2022 (e)	2023 (e)	2024 (e)
GDP (billions USD)	11.85e	12.00	11.55	10.97	11.28
GDP (Constant Prices, Annual % Change)	0.9	2.2	0.9	2.5	3.2
GDP per Capita (USD)	568e	559	523	483	482
General Government Gross Debt (in % of GDP)	54.8	63.9	73.3	74.5	75.2
Inflation Rate (%)	8.6	9.3	18.4	16.5	12.6
Current Account (billions USD)	-1.63	-1.47	-1.40	-1.42	-1.48
Current Account (in % of GDP)	-13.8	-12.2	-12.1	-12.9	-13.1

Source: IMF – World Economic Outlook Database , Latest available data

Note: (e) Estimated Data

Main Sectors of Industry

With about 80% of the population living in rural areas, the economy of Malawi is predominately agricultural: in 2020, the sector accounted for 22.7% of GDP, 80% of export revenues and 76% of employment (World Bank). The main export and most cultivated crop is tobacco - this, in a context where the country is looking to diversify its economy. Aside from tobacco, other revenue-generating crops include tea, coffee, sugarcane, cotton, sorghum, potatoes and corn (maize). Historically, the country produces enough food to feed its population, though harvests can be seriously affected by adverse weather conditions, like it was the case in 2015 and 2016 with El Nino-induced droughts.

Though still underdeveloped, the industrial sector contributed an estimated 18.5% of GDP in 2020. The majority of Malawi's industrial activity comes from manufacturing and food processing. Despite the government’s efforts to boost competitiveness, several challenges kept hindering the sector, including poor business climate, a lack of well-developed infrastructure, and the lack of skilled labour to operate machinery. Mining activities are at a small-scale level, since Malawi has no precious metals or oil (except for ruby). However, the country has some deposits of bauxite, asbestos, graphite, and uranium. The industrial sector only employs 5% of the workforce.

The services sector is the major contributor to the country’s GDP (52.6% in 2020). The main activities include tourism, health services, the banking sector, telecommunications, and retail, with the government of Malawi holding significant shares in most of these sectors. The sector employs 18% of the workforce. In 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the service sector collapsed, declining by 6% (Coface). The agricultural sector proved more resilient, expanding by 0.5%, but was nonetheless hurt by lower cotton prices, supply chain disruptions and the decline in tobacco prices and production (Coface). In 2021, the recovery was driven by a rebound in agricultural production.

Breakdown of Economic Activity By Sector	Agriculture	Industry	Services
Employment By Sector (in % of Total Employment)	76.4	5.4	18.3
Value Added (in % of GDP)	21.1	17.2	55.6
Value Added (Annual % Change)	3.0	1.2	-0.3

Source: World Bank - Latest available data.

Find more information about your business sector on our service Market Reports.

Monetary Indicators	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020
Malawi Kwacha (MWK) - Average Annual Exchange Rate For 1 MUR	20.08	21.18	21.58	21.01	19.05

Source: World Bank - Latest available data.

Find out all the exchange rates daily on our service Currency Converter.

Indicator of Economic Freedom

Definition

Definition:

The Economic freedom index measure ten components of economic freedom, grouped into four broad categories or pillars of economic freedom: Rule of Law (property rights, freedom from corruption); Limited Government (fiscal freedom, government spending); Regulatory Efficiency (business freedom, labour freedom, monetary freedom); and Open Markets (trade freedom, investment freedom, financial freedom). Each of the freedoms within these four broad categories is individually scored on a scale of 0 to 100. A country’s overall economic freedom score is a simple average of its scores on the 10 individual freedoms.

Score:: 53/100
World Rank:: 145
Regional Rank:: 33

Economic freedom in the world (interactive map)
Source: Index of Economic Freedom, Heritage Foundation

Country Risk

See the country risk analysis provided by Coface.

Foreign Trade in Figures

Malawi is relatively open to international trade, which represents 66.6% of the country’s GDP (World Bank). The country is a member of the WTO and has bilateral trade agreements with two of its main trade partners, South Africa and Zimbabwe. Malawi is also a beneficiary of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), a U.S. trade preference program. As part of its trade policy, the country has been gradually reducing protections granted to domestic trade by shifting its sources of revenue from customs duties to consumption and direct taxes. The average applied tariff rate is 4.2%. Malawi mainly exports raw tobacco (52.5% of total exports), sugar, tea, leguminous, nuts and machinery. Imports are led by refined petroleum (7.2% of total imports), fertilizers, medicines, tobacco and vehicles.

The main export destinations of Malawi in 2020 were Belgium, South Africa, the United Kingdom, Kenya, the United States, Zimbabwe, China and Tanzania. The top import origins were South Africa, China, the United Arab Emirates, India, the United Kingdom and Zambia. (Comtrade).

Malawi’s trade balance is structurally in deficit. In 2019, trade deficit (including services) reached USD 2.03 billion. In 2020, imports of goods reached USD 2.82 billion, while the country exported goods for a value of USD 767 million. The export of services generated USD 162 million while the import of services bill amounted to USD 275 million (WTO). In 2022, the trade deficit is expected to narrow only marginally, as increased agricultural exports will be partly offset by rising imports and the depreciation of the Malawian kwacha (Coface).

Foreign Trade Indicators	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020
Imports of Goods (million USD)	2,425	2,547	2,706	2,941	2,820
Exports of Goods (million USD)	1,017	884	880	913	767
Imports of Services (million USD)	245	301	302	337	275
Exports of Services (million USD)	94	130	160	175	162
Trade Balance (million USD)	-1,090	-1,577	-1,658	-1,857	n/a
Trade Balance (Including Service) (million USD)	-1,225	-1,728	-1,812	-2,033	n/a

Source: WTO – World Trade Organisation ; World Bank , Latest Available Data

Main Partner Countries

Main Customers (% of Exports)	2020
Belgium	20.8%
South Africa	6.2%
United Kingdom	6.0%
Kenya	5.1%
United States	4.6%
Zimbabwe	4.5%
China	4.4%
Tanzania	4.3%
Egypt	4.1%
Netherlands	3.7%
Zambia	3.4%
Switzerland	3.4%
Spain	3.0%
Germany	2.5%
United Arab Emirates	1.9%
Mozambique	1.9%
Russia	1.8%
Poland	1.6%
Rwanda	1.5%
Jordan	1.4%
See More Countries	57.3%

Main Suppliers (% of Imports)	2020
South Africa	20.6%
China	16.2%
United Arab Emirates	10.1%
India	7.7%
United Kingdom	4.6%
Zambia	4.4%
Mozambique	3.8%
Japan	3.3%
Kuwait	2.6%
Malaysia	2.4%
Indonesia	2.1%
Saudi Arabia	1.6%
Tanzania	1.5%
Germany	1.5%
Kenya	1.5%
Zimbabwe	1.1%
Hong Kong SAR, China	1.1%
United States	1.1%
Switzerland	1.0%
Netherlands	0.8%
See More Countries	40.9%

Source: Comtrade, Latest Available Data

Main Products

0.8 bn USD of products exported in 2020
Unmanufactured tobacco; tobacco refuseUnmanufactured tobacco; tobacco refuse	52.5%
Cane or beet sugar and chemically pure sucrose, in...Cane or beet sugar and chemically pure sucrose, in solid form	9.7%
Tea, whether or not flavouredTea, whether or not flavoured	9.5%
Dried leguminous vegetables, shelled, whether or...Dried leguminous vegetables, shelled, whether or not skinned or split	5.1%
Groundnuts, whether or not shelled or broken (excl...Groundnuts, whether or not shelled or broken (excl. roasted or otherwise cooked)	5.1%
Oilcake and other solid residues, whether or not...Oilcake and other solid residues, whether or not ground or in the form of pellets, resulting from the extraction of soya-bean oil	3.1%
Other nuts, fresh or dried, whether or not shelled...Other nuts, fresh or dried, whether or not shelled or peeled (excl. coconuts, brazil nuts and cashew nuts)	2.8%
Soya beans, whether or not brokenSoya beans, whether or not broken	1.7%
Sacks and bags, of a kind used for the packing of...Sacks and bags, of a kind used for the packing of goods, of all types of textile materials	0.6%
Fibreboard of wood or other ligneous materials,...Fibreboard of wood or other ligneous materials, whether or not agglomerated with resins or other organic bonding agents (excl. particle board, whether or not bonded with one or more sheets of fibreboard; laminated wood with a layer of plywood; composite panels with outer layers of fibreboard; paperboard; furniture components identifiable as such)	0.6%
Undenatured ethyl alcohol of an alcoholic strength...Undenatured ethyl alcohol of an alcoholic strength of >= 80%; ethyl alcohol and other spirits, denatured, of any strength	0.6%
Natural rubber, balata, gutta-percha, guayule,...Natural rubber, balata, gutta-percha, guayule, chicle and similar natural gums, in primary forms or in plates, sheets or strip	0.5%
Other oil seeds and oleaginous fruits, whether or...Other oil seeds and oleaginous fruits, whether or not broken (excl. edible nuts, olives, soya beans, groundnuts, copra, linseed, rape or colza seeds and sunflower seeds)	0.4%
Plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, of...Plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, of non-cellular plastics, not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materials, without backing, unworked or merely surface-worked or merely cut into squares or rectangles (excl. self-adhesive products, and floor, wall and ceiling coverings of heading 3918)	0.4%
Ferrous waste and scrap; remelting scrap ingots of...Ferrous waste and scrap; remelting scrap ingots of iron or steel (excl. slag, scale and other waste from the production of iron or steel; radioactive waste and scrap; fragments of pigs, blocks or other primary forms of pig iron or spiegeleisen)	0.3%
Plywood, veneered panel and similar laminated wood...Plywood, veneered panel and similar laminated wood (excl. sheets of compressed wood, cellular wood panels, parquet panels or sheets, inlaid wood and sheets identifiable as furniture components)	0.3%
Bran, sharps and other residues, whether or not in...Bran, sharps and other residues, whether or not in the form of pellets, derived from the sifting, milling or other working of cereals or of leguminous plants	0.3%
Cotton, neither carded nor combedCotton, neither carded nor combed	0.3%
Coffee, whether or not roasted or decaffeinated;...Coffee, whether or not roasted or decaffeinated; coffee husks and skins; coffee substitutes containing coffee in any proportion	0.2%
Food preparations, n.e.s.Food preparations, n.e.s.	0.2%
Self-propelled bulldozers, angledozers, graders,...Self-propelled bulldozers, angledozers, graders, levellers, scrapers, mechanical shovels, excavators, shovel loaders, tamping machines and roadrollers	0.2%
Cereal flours (excl. wheat or meslin)Cereal flours (excl. wheat or meslin)	0.2%
Manufactured tobacco and manufactured tobacco...Manufactured tobacco and manufactured tobacco substitutes and "homogenised" or "reconstituted" tobacco, tobacco extracts and tobacco essences (excl. cigars, incl. cheroots, cigarillos and cigarettes)	0.2%
Women's or girls' blouses, shirts and...Women's or girls' blouses, shirts and shirt-blouses (excl. knitted or crocheted and vests)	0.2%
Dates, figs, pineapples, avocados, guavas, mangoes...Dates, figs, pineapples, avocados, guavas, mangoes and mangosteens, fresh or dried	0.2%
Moving, grading, levelling, scraping, excavating,...Moving, grading, levelling, scraping, excavating, tamping, compacting, extracting or boring machinery, for earth, minerals or ores; pile-drivers and pile-extractors; snowploughs and snowblowers (excl. those mounted on railway wagons, motor vehicle chassis or lorries, self-propelled machinery of heading 8429, lifting, handling, loading or unloading machinery of heading 8425 to 8428 and hand-operated tools)	0.2%
Motor vehicles for the transport of goods, incl....Motor vehicles for the transport of goods, incl. chassis with engine and cab	0.2%
Motor vehicles for the transport of >= 10 persons,...Motor vehicles for the transport of >= 10 persons, incl. driver	0.2%
Articles for the conveyance or packaging of goods,...Articles for the conveyance or packaging of goods, of plastics; stoppers, lids, caps and other closures, of plastics	0.1%
Electrical energyElectrical energy	0.1%
Maize or cornMaize or corn	0.1%
Stoves, ranges, grates, cookers, incl. those with...Stoves, ranges, grates, cookers, incl. those with subsidiary boilers for central heating, barbecues, braziers, gas rings, plate warmers and similar non-electric domestic appliances, and parts thereof of iron or steel (excl. boilers and radiators for central heating, geysers and hot water cylinders)	0.1%
Motor cars and other motor vehicles principally...Motor cars and other motor vehicles principally designed for the transport of persons, incl. station wagons and racing cars (excl. motor vehicles of heading 8702)	0.1%
Tubes, pipes and hoses, and fittings therefor, e.g...Tubes, pipes and hoses, and fittings therefor, e.g. joints, elbows, flanges, of plastics	0.1%
Oilcake and other solid residues, whether or not...Oilcake and other solid residues, whether or not ground or in the form of pellets, resulting from the extraction of vegetable fats or oils (excl. from soya-bean oil and groundnut oil)	0.1%
Table, kitchen or other household articles,...Table, kitchen or other household articles, sanitary ware, and parts thereof, of aluminium, pot scourers and scouring or polishing pads, gloves and the like, of aluminium (excl. cans, boxes and similar containers of heading 7612, articles of the nature of a work implement, spoons, ladles, forks and other articles of heading 8211 to 8215, ornamental articles and fittings)	0.1%
See More Products	18.0%

2.7 bn USD of products imported in 2020
Unused postage, revenue or similar stamps of...Unused postage, revenue or similar stamps of current or new issue in the country in which they have, or will have, a recognised face value; stamp-impressed paper; banknotes; cheque forms; stock, share or bond certificates and similar documents of title	9.1%
Petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous...Petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals (excl. crude); preparations containing >= 70% by weight of petroleum oils or of oils obtained from bituminous minerals, these oils being the basic constituents of the preparations, n.e.s.; waste oils containing mainly petroleum or bituminous minerals	7.2%
Mineral or chemical fertilisers containing two or...Mineral or chemical fertilisers containing two or three of the fertilising elements nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium; other fertilisers (excl. pure animal or vegetable fertilisers or mineral or chemical nitrogenous, phosphatic or potassic fertilisers); animal, vegetable, mineral or chemical fertilisers in tablets or similar forms or in packages of a gross weight of <= 10 kg	4.3%
Medicaments consisting of mixed or unmixed...Medicaments consisting of mixed or unmixed products for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, put up in measured doses "incl. those in the form of transdermal administration" or in forms or packings for retail sale (excl. goods of heading 3002, 3005 or 3006)	4.2%
Mineral or chemical nitrogenous fertilisers (excl....Mineral or chemical nitrogenous fertilisers (excl. those in pellet or similar forms, or in packages with a gross weight of <= 10 kg)	4.0%
Unmanufactured tobacco; tobacco refuseUnmanufactured tobacco; tobacco refuse	3.8%
Motor cars and other motor vehicles principally...Motor cars and other motor vehicles principally designed for the transport of persons, incl. station wagons and racing cars (excl. motor vehicles of heading 8702)	2.9%
Worn clothing and clothing accessories, blankets...Worn clothing and clothing accessories, blankets and travelling rugs, household linen and articles for interior furnishing, of all types of textile materials, incl. all types of footwear and headgear, showing signs of appreciable wear and presented in bulk or in bales, sacks or similar packings (excl. carpets, other floor coverings and tapestries)	2.4%
Palm oil and its fractions, whether or not refined...Palm oil and its fractions, whether or not refined (excl. chemically modified)	2.2%
Soap; organic surface-active products and...Soap; organic surface-active products and preparations for use as soap, in the form of bars, cakes, moulded pieces or shapes, whether or not containing soap; organic surface-active products and preparations for washing the skin, in the form of liquid or cream and put up for retail sale, whether or not containing soap; paper, wadding, felt and nonwovens, impregnated, coated or covered with soap or detergent	1.8%
Motor vehicles for the transport of goods, incl....Motor vehicles for the transport of goods, incl. chassis with engine and cab	1.7%
Wheat and meslinWheat and meslin	1.7%
Flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel,...Flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel, of a width >= 600 mm, hot-rolled or cold-rolled "cold-reduced", clad, plated or coated	1.6%
Telephone sets, incl. telephones for cellular...Telephone sets, incl. telephones for cellular networks or for other wireless networks; other apparatus for the transmission or reception of voice, images or other data, incl. apparatus for communication in a wired or wireless network [such as a local or wide area network]; parts thereof (excl. than transmission or reception apparatus of heading 8443, 8525, 8527 or 8528)	1.5%
Cement, incl. cement clinkers, whether or not...Cement, incl. cement clinkers, whether or not coloured	1.4%
Food preparations, n.e.s.Food preparations, n.e.s.	1.3%
Polymers of ethylene, in primary formsPolymers of ethylene, in primary forms	1.1%
Insecticides, rodenticides, fungicides, herbicides...Insecticides, rodenticides, fungicides, herbicides, anti-sprouting products and plant-growth regulators, disinfectants and similar products, put up for retail sale or as preparations or articles, e.g. sulphur-treated bands, wicks and candles, and fly-papers	1.1%
Human blood; animal blood prepared for therapeutic...Human blood; animal blood prepared for therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic uses; antisera and other blood fractions and immunological products, whether or not modified or obtained by means of biotechnological processes; vaccines, toxins, cultures of micro-organisms (excl. yeasts) and similar products	1.1%
Polymers of propylene or of other olefins, in...Polymers of propylene or of other olefins, in primary forms	0.9%
Diagnostic or laboratory reagents on a backing,...Diagnostic or laboratory reagents on a backing, prepared diagnostic or laboratory reagents whether or not on a backing, and certified reference materials (excl. compound diagnostic reagents designed to be administered to the patient, blood-grouping reagents, animal blood prepared for therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic uses and vaccines, toxins, cultures of micro-organisms and similar products)	0.8%
Organic surface-active agents (excl. soap);...Organic surface-active agents (excl. soap); surface-active preparations, washing preparations, incl. auxiliary washing preparations, and cleaning preparations, whether or not containing soap (excl. those of heading 3401)	0.8%
Soya-bean oil and its fractions, whether or not...Soya-bean oil and its fractions, whether or not refined (excl. chemically modified)	0.7%
Special purpose motor vehicles (other than those...Special purpose motor vehicles (other than those principally designed for the transport of persons or goods), e.g. breakdown lorries, crane lorries, fire fighting vehicles, concrete-mixer lorries, road sweeper lorries, spraying lorries, mobile workshops and mobile radiological units	0.7%
Electrical transformers, static converters, e.g....Electrical transformers, static converters, e.g. rectifiers, and inductors; parts thereof	0.6%
Automatic data-processing machines and units...Automatic data-processing machines and units thereof; magnetic or optical readers, machines for transcribing data onto data media in coded form and machines for processing such data, n.e.s.	0.6%
Instruments and appliances used in medical,...Instruments and appliances used in medical, surgical, dental or veterinary sciences, incl. scintigraphic apparatus, other electro-medical apparatus and sight-testing instruments, n.e.s.	0.6%
Self-propelled bulldozers, angledozers, graders,...Self-propelled bulldozers, angledozers, graders, levellers, scrapers, mechanical shovels, excavators, shovel loaders, tamping machines and roadrollers	0.6%
New pneumatic tyres, of rubberNew pneumatic tyres, of rubber	0.6%
Made-up articles of textile materials, incl. dress...Made-up articles of textile materials, incl. dress patterns, n.e.s.	0.6%
Cartons, boxes, cases, bags and other packing...Cartons, boxes, cases, bags and other packing containers, of paper, paperboard, cellulose wadding or webs of cellulose fibres, n.e.s.; box files, letter trays, and similar articles, of paperboard of a kind used in offices, shops or the like	0.6%
Salts, incl. table salt and denatured salt, and...Salts, incl. table salt and denatured salt, and pure sodium chloride, whether or not in aqueous solution or containing added anti-caking or free-flowing agents; sea water	0.5%
Bars and rods, of iron or non-alloy steel, not...Bars and rods, of iron or non-alloy steel, not further worked than forged, hot-rolled, hot-drawn or hot-extruded, but incl. those twisted after rolling (excl. in irregularly wound coils)	0.5%
Machinery for working rubber or plastics or for...Machinery for working rubber or plastics or for the manufacture of products from these materials, not specified or included elsewhere in this chapter, parts thereof	0.5%
Pharmaceutical preparations and products of...Pharmaceutical preparations and products of subheadings 3006.10.10 to 3006.60.90	0.5%
Motor vehicles for the transport of >= 10 persons,...Motor vehicles for the transport of >= 10 persons, incl. driver	0.5%
Electric accumulators, incl. separators therefor,...Electric accumulators, incl. separators therefor, whether or not square or rectangular; parts thereof (excl. spent and those of unhardened rubber or textiles)	0.4%
Industrial monocarboxylic fatty acids; acid oils...Industrial monocarboxylic fatty acids; acid oils from refining; industrial fatty alcohols	0.4%
Machines for cleaning, sorting or grading seed,...Machines for cleaning, sorting or grading seed, grain or dried leguminous vegetables; machinery used in the milling industry or for the working of cereals or dried leguminous vegetables (excl. farm-type machinery, heat treatment equipment, centrifugal dryers and air filters); parts thereof	0.4%
Pumps for liquids, whether or not fitted with a...Pumps for liquids, whether or not fitted with a measuring device (excl. ceramic pumps and secretion aspirating pumps for medical use and medical pumps carried on or implanted in the body); liquid elevators (excl. pumps); parts thereof	0.4%
Tractors (other than tractors of heading 8709)Tractors (other than tractors of heading 8709)	0.4%
Moulding boxes for metal foundry; mould bases;...Moulding boxes for metal foundry; mould bases; moulding patterns; moulds for metal (other than ingot moulds), metal carbides, glass, mineral materials, rubber or plastics (excl. moulds of graphite or other carbons, ceramic or glass moulds and linotype moulds or matrices)	0.4%
Polymers of vinyl chloride or of other halogenated...Polymers of vinyl chloride or of other halogenated olefins, in primary forms	0.4%
Structures and parts of structures "e.g., bridges...Structures and parts of structures "e.g., bridges and bridge-sections, lock-gates, towers, lattice masts, roofs, roofing frameworks, doors and windows and their frames and thresholds for doors, shutters, balustrades, pillars and columns", of iron or steel; plates, rods, angles, shapes, sections, tubes and the like, prepared for use in structures, of iron or steel (excl. prefabricated buildings of heading 9406)	0.4%
Malt extract; food preparations of flour, groats,...Malt extract; food preparations of flour, groats, meal, starch or malt extract, not containing cocoa or containing < 40% by weight of cocoa calculated on a totally defatted basis, n.e.s.; food preparations of milk, cream, butter milk, sour milk, sour cream, whey, yogurt, kephir, and similar goods of heading 0401 to 0404, not containing cocoa or containing < 5% by weight of cocoa calculated on a totally defatted basis, n.e.s.	0.4%
Unglazed ceramic flags and paving, hearth or wall...Unglazed ceramic flags and paving, hearth or wall tiles; unglazed ceramic mosaic cubes and the like, whether or not on a backing (excl. of siliceous fossil meals or similar siliceous earths, refractory ceramic goods, tiles specially adapted as table mats, ornamental articles and tiles specifically manufactured for stoves)	0.4%
Bombs, grenades, torpedos, mines, missiles,...Bombs, grenades, torpedos, mines, missiles, cartridges and other ammunition and projectiles and parts thereof, incl. buckshot, shot and cartridge wads, n.e.s.	0.4%
Machines and mechanical appliances having...Machines and mechanical appliances having individual functions, not specified or included elsewhere in this chapter; parts thereof	0.4%
Furniture and parts thereof, n.e.s. (excl. seats...Furniture and parts thereof, n.e.s. (excl. seats and medical, surgical, dental or veterinary furniture)	0.3%
Angles, shapes and sections of iron or non-alloy...Angles, shapes and sections of iron or non-alloy steel, n.e.s.	0.3%
Articles of plastics and articles of other...Articles of plastics and articles of other materials of heading 3901 to 3914, n.e.s.	0.3%
Plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, of...Plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, of non-cellular plastics, not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materials, without backing, unworked or merely surface-worked or merely cut into squares or rectangles (excl. self-adhesive products, and floor, wall and ceiling coverings of heading 3918)	0.3%
Garments made up of felt or nonwovens, whether or...Garments made up of felt or nonwovens, whether or not impregnated, coated, covered or laminated; garments of textile fabrics, rubberised or impregnated, coated, covered or laminated with plastics or other substances (excl. knitted or crocheted, and babies' garments and clothing accessories)	0.3%
Insulated "incl. enamelled or anodised" wire,...Insulated "incl. enamelled or anodised" wire, cable "incl. coaxial cable" and other insulated electric conductors, whether or not fitted with connectors; optical fibre cables, made up of individually sheathed fibres, whether or not assembled with electric conductors or fitted with connectors	0.3%
Sugar confectionery not containing cocoa, incl....Sugar confectionery not containing cocoa, incl. white chocolate	0.3%
Machinery for sorting, screening, separating,...Machinery for sorting, screening, separating, washing, crushing, grinding, mixing or kneading earth, stone, ores or other mineral substances, in solid, incl. powder or paste, form; machinery for agglomerating, shaping or moulding solid mineral fuels, ceramic paste, unhardened cements, plastering materials or other mineral products in powder or paste form; machines for forming foundry moulds of sand; parts thereof	0.3%
Articles of vulcanised rubber (excl. hard rubber),...Articles of vulcanised rubber (excl. hard rubber), n.e.s.	0.3%
Lamps and lighting fittings, incl. searchlights...Lamps and lighting fittings, incl. searchlights and spotlights, and parts thereof, n.e.s; illuminated signs, illuminated nameplates and the like having a permanently fixed light source, and parts thereof, n.e.s.	0.3%
Mineral or chemical potassic fertilisers (excl....Mineral or chemical potassic fertilisers (excl. those in tablets or similar forms, or in packages with a gross weight of <= 10 kg)	0.3%
Parts of aircraft and spacecraft of heading 8801...Parts of aircraft and spacecraft of heading 8801 or 8802, n.e.s.	0.3%
Polyacetals, other polyethers and epoxide resins,...Polyacetals, other polyethers and epoxide resins, in primary forms; polycarbonates, alkyd resins, polyallyl esters and other polyesters, in primary forms	0.3%
Maize or cornMaize or corn	0.3%
Diodes, transistors and similar semiconductor...Diodes, transistors and similar semiconductor devices; photosensitive semiconductor devices, incl. photovoltaic cells whether or not assembled in modules or made up into panels (excl. photovotaic generators); light emitting diodes; mounted piezoelectric crystals; parts thereof	0.3%
Tubes, pipes and hollow profiles "e.g., open seam...Tubes, pipes and hollow profiles "e.g., open seam or welded, riveted or similarly closed", of iron or steel (excl. of cast iron, seamless tubes and pipes and tubes having internal and external circular cross-sections and an external diameter of > 406,4 mm)	0.3%
Machinery, not specified or included elsewhere in...Machinery, not specified or included elsewhere in this chapter, for the industrial preparation or manufacture of food or drink (other than machinery for the extraction or preparation of animal or fixed vegetable fats or oils); parts thereof	0.3%
Printing machinery used for printing by means of...Printing machinery used for printing by means of plates, cylinders and other printing components of heading 8442 (excl. hectograph or stencil duplicating machines, addressing machines and other office printing machines of heading 8469 to 8472); other printers, copying machines and facsimile machines, whether or not combined; parts thereof	0.3%
Sanitary towels (pads) and tampons, napkins and...Sanitary towels (pads) and tampons, napkins and napkin liners for babies, and similar articles, of any material	0.3%
Parts and accessories for tractors, motor vehicles...Parts and accessories for tractors, motor vehicles for the transport of ten or more persons, motor cars and other motor vehicles principally designed for the transport of persons, motor vehicles for the transport of goods and special purpose motor vehicles of heading 8701 to 8705, n.e.s.	0.2%
Registers, account books, notebooks, order books,...Registers, account books, notebooks, order books, receipt books, letter pads, memorandum pads, diaries and similar articles, exercise books, blotting pads, binders, folders, file covers, manifold business forms, interleaved carbon sets and other articles of stationery, of paper or paperboard; albums for samples or for collections and book covers, of paper and paperboard	0.2%
Military weapons, incl. sub-machine guns (excl....Military weapons, incl. sub-machine guns (excl. revolvers and pistols of heading 9302 and cutting and thrusting weapons of heading 9307)	0.2%
Waters, incl. mineral waters and aerated waters,...Waters, incl. mineral waters and aerated waters, containing added sugar or other sweetening matter or flavoured, and other non-alcoholic beverages (excl. fruit or vegetable juices and milk)	0.2%
Casks, drums, cans, boxes and similar containers,...Casks, drums, cans, boxes and similar containers, incl. rigid or collapsible tubular containers, of aluminium, for any material (other than compressed or liquefied gas), of a capacity of <= 300 l, not fitted with mechanical or thermal equipment, whether or not lined or heat-insulated, n.e.s.	0.2%
Cereal flours (excl. wheat or meslin)Cereal flours (excl. wheat or meslin)	0.2%
Refrigerators, freezers and other refrigerating or...Refrigerators, freezers and other refrigerating or freezing equipment, electric or other; heat pumps; parts thereof (excl. air conditioning machines of heading 8415)	0.2%
Articles for the conveyance or packaging of goods,...Articles for the conveyance or packaging of goods, of plastics; stoppers, lids, caps and other closures, of plastics	0.2%
Milk and cream, concentrated or containing added...Milk and cream, concentrated or containing added sugar or other sweetening matter	0.2%
Prefabricated buildings, whether or not complete...Prefabricated buildings, whether or not complete or already assembled	0.2%
Other paper and paperboard, uncoated, in rolls of...Other paper and paperboard, uncoated, in rolls of a width > 36 cm or in square or rectangular sheets with one side > 36 cm and the other side > 15 cm in the unfolded state, not worked other than as specified in note 3 to this chapter, n.e.s.	0.2%
Office machines, e.g. hectograph or stencil...Office machines, e.g. hectograph or stencil duplicating machines, addressing machines, automatic banknote dispensers, coin-sorting machines, coin-counting or coin-wrapping machines, pencil-sharpening machines, perforating or stapling machines, n.e.s.	0.2%
Margarine, other edible mixtures or preparations...Margarine, other edible mixtures or preparations of animal or vegetable fats or oils and edible fractions of different fats or oils (excl. fats, oils and their fractions, partly or wholly hydrogenated, inter-esterified, re-esterified or elaidinised, whether or not refined, but not further prepared, and mixtures of olive oils and their fractions)	0.2%
Carboys, bottles, flasks, jars, pots, phials,...Carboys, bottles, flasks, jars, pots, phials, ampoules and other containers, of glass, of a kind used for the conveyance or packing of goods, preserving jars, stoppers, lids and other closures, of glass (excl. glass envelopes and containers, with vacuum insulation, perfume atomizers, flasks, bottles etc. for atomizers)	0.2%
Wood in the rough, whether or not stripped of bark...Wood in the rough, whether or not stripped of bark or sapwood, or roughly squared (excl. rough-cut wood for walking sticks, umbrellas, tool shafts and the like; wood in the form of railway sleepers; wood cut into boards or beams, etc.)	0.2%
Taps, cocks, valves and similar appliances for...Taps, cocks, valves and similar appliances for pipes, boiler shells, tanks, vats or the like, incl. pressure-reducing valves and thermostatically controlled valves; parts thereof	0.2%
Uncoated paper and paperboard, of a kind used for...Uncoated paper and paperboard, of a kind used for writing, printing or other graphic purposes, and non-perforated punchcards and punch-tape paper, in rolls or in square or rectangular sheets, of any size, and handmade paper and paperboard (excl. newsprint of heading 4801 and paper of heading 4803)	0.2%
Electric generating sets and rotary convertersElectric generating sets and rotary converters	0.2%
Discs, tapes, solid-state non-volatile storage...Discs, tapes, solid-state non-volatile storage devices, "smart cards" and other media for the recording of sound or of other phenomena, whether or not recorded, incl. matrices and masters for the production of discs (excl. products of chapter 37)	0.2%
Fruit juices, incl. grape must, and vegetable...Fruit juices, incl. grape must, and vegetable juices, unfermented, not containing added spirit, whether or not containing added sugar or other sweetening matter	0.2%
Dishwashing machines; machinery for cleaning or...Dishwashing machines; machinery for cleaning or drying bottles or other containers; machinery for filling, closing, sealing or labelling bottles, cans, boxes, bags or other containers; machinery for capsuling bottles, jars, tubes and similar containers; other packing or wrapping machinery, incl. heat-shrink wrapping machinery; machinery for aerating beverages; parts thereof	0.2%
Acyclic alcohols and their halogenated,...Acyclic alcohols and their halogenated, sulphonated, nitrated or nitrosated derivatives	0.2%
Yeasts, active or inactive; other dead single-cell...Yeasts, active or inactive; other dead single-cell micro-organisms, prepared baking powders (excl. single-cell micro-organisms packaged as medicaments)	0.2%
Sacks and bags, of a kind used for the packing of...Sacks and bags, of a kind used for the packing of goods, of all types of textile materials	0.2%
Gypsum; anhydrite; plasters consisting of calcined...Gypsum; anhydrite; plasters consisting of calcined gypsum or calcium sulphate, whether or not coloured, with or without small quantities of accelerators or retarders	0.2%
Tube or pipe fittings "e.g. couplings, elbows,...Tube or pipe fittings "e.g. couplings, elbows, sleeves", of iron or steel	0.2%
Preparations of a kind used in animal feedingPreparations of a kind used in animal feeding	0.2%
Primary cells and primary batteries, electrical;...Primary cells and primary batteries, electrical; parts thereof (excl. spent)	0.2%
Centrifuges, incl. centrifugal dryers (excl. those...Centrifuges, incl. centrifugal dryers (excl. those for isotope separation); filtering or purifying machinery and apparatus, for liquids or gases; parts thereof (excl. artificial kidneys)	0.2%
Bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and other bakers'...Bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and other bakers' wares, whether or not containing cocoa; communion wafers, empty cachets of a kind suitable for pharmaceutical use, sealing wafers, rice paper and similar products	0.2%
Fish, fresh or chilled (excl. fish fillets and...Fish, fresh or chilled (excl. fish fillets and other fish meat of heading 0304)	0.2%
Tubes, pipes and hollow profiles, of cast ironTubes, pipes and hollow profiles, of cast iron	0.2%
Instruments and apparatus for physical or chemical...Instruments and apparatus for physical or chemical analysis, e.g. polarimeters, refractometers, spectrometers, gas or smoke analysis apparatus; instruments and apparatus for measuring or checking viscosity, porosity, expansion, surface tension or the like; instruments and apparatus for measuring or checking quantities of heat, sound or light, incl. exposure meters; microtomes	0.2%
Table, kitchen or other household articles, and...Table, kitchen or other household articles, and parts thereof, of iron or steel; iron or steel wool; pot scourers and scouring or polishing pads, gloves and the like, of iron or steel (excl. cans, boxes and similar containers of heading 7310; waste baskets; shovels, corkscrews and other articles of the nature of a work implement; articles of cutlery, spoons, ladles, forks etc. of heading 8211 to 8215; ornamental articles; sanitary ware)	0.2%
Mechanical appliances, whether or not...Mechanical appliances, whether or not hand-operated, for projecting, dispersing or spraying liquids or powders, n.e.s.; fire extinguishers, charged or not (excl. fire-extinguishing bombs and grenades); spray guns and similar appliances (excl. electric machines and apparatus for hot spraying of metals or sintered metal carbides of heading 8515); steam or sand blasting machines and similar jet projecting machines; parts thereof, n.e.s.	0.2%
Parts and accessories for motorcycles and bicycles...Parts and accessories for motorcycles and bicycles and for carriages for disabled persons, n.e.s.	0.2%
Electrical energyElectrical energy	0.2%
Electric filament or discharge lamps, incl. sealed...Electric filament or discharge lamps, incl. sealed beam lamp units and ultraviolet or infra-red lamps; arc lamps; parts thereof	0.2%
Printed books, brochures and similar printed...Printed books, brochures and similar printed matter, whether or not in single sheets (excl. periodicals and publications which are essentially devoted to advertising)	0.2%
Trailers and semi-trailers; other vehicles, not...Trailers and semi-trailers; other vehicles, not mechanically propelled (excl. railway and tramway vehicles); parts thereof, n.e.s.	0.2%
Flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel,...Flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel, of a width >= 600 mm, hot-rolled, not clad, plated or coated	0.2%
Machinery, plant or laboratory equipment whether...Machinery, plant or laboratory equipment whether or not electrically heated (excl. furnaces, ovens and other equipment of heading 8514), for the treatment of materials by a process involving a change of temperature such as heating, cooking, roasting, distilling, rectifying, sterilising, pasteurising, steaming, drying, evaporating, vaporising, condensing or cooling (excl. those used for domestic purposes); instantaneous or storage water heaters, non-electric; parts thereof	0.2%
Monitors and projectors, not incorporating...Monitors and projectors, not incorporating television reception apparatus; reception apparatus for television, whether or not incorporating radio-broadcast receivers or sound or video recording or reproducing apparatus	0.2%
Motorcycles, incl. mopeds, and cycles fitted with...Motorcycles, incl. mopeds, and cycles fitted with an auxiliary motor, with or without side-cars; side-cars	0.2%
Mixtures of odoriferous substances and mixtures,...Mixtures of odoriferous substances and mixtures, incl. alcoholic solutions, based on one or more of these substances, of a kind used as raw materials in industry; other preparations based on odoriferous substances, of a kind used for the manufacture of beverages	0.2%
Tubes, pipes and hoses, and fittings therefor, e.g...Tubes, pipes and hoses, and fittings therefor, e.g. joints, elbows, flanges, of plastics	0.2%
Wadding, gauze, bandages and the like, e.g....Wadding, gauze, bandages and the like, e.g. dressings, adhesive plasters, poultices, impregnated or covered with pharmaceutical substances or put up for retail sale for medical, surgical, dental or veterinary purposes	0.1%
Lifting, handling, loading or unloading machinery,...Lifting, handling, loading or unloading machinery, e.g. lifts, escalators, conveyors, teleferics (excl. pulley tackle and hoists, winches and capstans, jacks, cranes of all kinds, mobile lifting frames and straddle carriers, works trucks fitted with a crane, fork-lift trucks and other works trucks fitted with lifting or handling equipment)	0.1%
Coke and semi-coke of coal, of lignite or of peat,...Coke and semi-coke of coal, of lignite or of peat, whether or not agglomerated; retort carbon	0.1%
Electrical apparatus for switching or protecting...Electrical apparatus for switching or protecting electrical circuits, or for making connections to or in electrical circuits, e.g., switches, relays, fuses, surge suppressors, plugs, sockets, lamp holders and junction boxes, for a voltage <= 1.000 v (excl. control desks, cabinets, panels etc. of heading 8537)	0.1%
Inorganic or mineral colouring matter, n.e.s.;...Inorganic or mineral colouring matter, n.e.s.; preparations based on inorganic or mineral colouring matter of a kind used for colouring any material or produce colorant preparations (excl. preparations of heading 3207, 3208, 3209, 3210, 3213 and 3215); inorganic products of a kind used as luminophores, whether or not chemically defined	0.1%
Parts suitable for use solely or principally with...Parts suitable for use solely or principally with the machinery of heading 8425 to 8430, n.e.s.	0.1%
Articles of iron or steel, n.e.s. (excl. cast...Articles of iron or steel, n.e.s. (excl. cast articles)	0.1%
Blankets and travelling rugs of all types of...Blankets and travelling rugs of all types of textile materials (excl. table covers, bedspreads and articles of bedding and similar furnishing of heading 9404)	0.1%
Agricultural, horticultural, forestry,...Agricultural, horticultural, forestry, poultry-keeping or bee-keeping machinery, incl. germination plant fitted with mechanical or thermal equipment; poultry incubators and brooders; parts thereof	0.1%
Petroleum jelly, paraffin wax, micro- crystalline...Petroleum jelly, paraffin wax, micro- crystalline petroleum wax, slack wax, ozokerite, lignite wax, peat wax, other mineral waxes, and similar products obtained by synthesis or by other processes, whether or not coloured	0.1%
Electric instantaneous or storage water heaters...Electric instantaneous or storage water heaters and immersion heaters; electric space-heating apparatus and soil-heating apparatus; electro-thermic hairdressing apparatus, e.g. hairdryers, hair curlers and curling tong heaters, and hand dryers; electric smoothing irons; other electro-thermic appliances of a kind used for domestic purposes; electric heating resistors (other than those of heading 8545); parts thereof	0.1%
Nails, tacks, drawing pins, corrugated nails,...Nails, tacks, drawing pins, corrugated nails, staples and similar articles of iron or steel, whether or not with heads of other material (excl. such articles with heads of copper and staples in strips)	0.1%
Gas, liquid or electricity supply or production...Gas, liquid or electricity supply or production meters, incl. calibrating meters therefor	0.1%
Hydraulic turbines, water wheels, and regulators...Hydraulic turbines, water wheels, and regulators therefor (excl. hydraulic power engines and motors of heading 8412)	0.1%
Beauty or make-up preparations and preparations...Beauty or make-up preparations and preparations for the care of the skin, incl. sunscreen or suntan preparations (excl. medicaments); manicure or pedicure preparations	0.1%
Air or vacuum pumps (excl. gas compound elevators...Air or vacuum pumps (excl. gas compound elevators and pneumatic elevators and conveyors); air or other gas compressors and fans; ventilating or recycling hoods incorporating a fan, whether or not fitted with filters; parts thereof	0.1%
Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, incl...Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, incl. gloves, mittens and mitts, for all purposes, of vulcanised rubber (excl. hard rubber and footwear and headgear and parts thereof)	0.1%
Quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime (excl....Quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime (excl. pure calcium oxide and calcium hydroxide)	0.1%
Bicycles and other cycles, incl. delivery...Bicycles and other cycles, incl. delivery tricycles, not motorised	0.1%
Electric motors and generators (excl. generating...Electric motors and generators (excl. generating sets)	0.1%
Petroleum coke, petroleum bitumen and other...Petroleum coke, petroleum bitumen and other residues of petroleum oil or of oil obtained from bituminous minerals, n.e.s.	0.1%
Tableware, kitchenware, other household articles...Tableware, kitchenware, other household articles and toilet articles, of plastics (excl. baths, shower-baths, washbasins, bidets, lavatory pans, seats and covers, flushing cisterns and similar sanitary ware)	0.1%
Pasta, whether or not cooked or stuffed with meat...Pasta, whether or not cooked or stuffed with meat or other substances or otherwise prepared, such as spaghetti, macaroni, noodles, lasagne, gnocchi, ravioli, cannelloni; couscous, whether or not prepared	0.1%
Boards, panels, consoles, desks, cabinets and...Boards, panels, consoles, desks, cabinets and other bases, equipped with two or more apparatus of heading 8535 or 8536, for electric control or the distribution of electricity, incl. those incorporating instruments or apparatus of chapter 90, and numerical control apparatus (excl. switching apparatus for line telephony or line telegraphy)	0.1%
Wire of iron or non-alloy steel, in coils (excl....Wire of iron or non-alloy steel, in coils (excl. bars and rods)	0.1%
Transmission shafts, incl. camshafts and...Transmission shafts, incl. camshafts and crankshafts, and cranks; bearing housings and plain shaft bearings for machines; gears and gearing; ball or roller screws, gear boxes and other speed changers, incl. torque converters; flywheels and pulleys, incl. pulley blocks, clutches and shaft couplings, incl. universal joints; parts thereof	0.1%
Molasses resulting from the extraction or refining...Molasses resulting from the extraction or refining of sugar	0.1%
Prepared foods obtained by the swelling or...Prepared foods obtained by the swelling or roasting of cereals or cereal products, e.g. corn flakes; cereals (other than maize "corn") in grain form or in the form of flakes or other worked grains (except flour, groats and meal), pre-cooked or otherwise prepared, n.e.s.	0.1%
Coal; briquettes, ovoids and similar solid fuels...Coal; briquettes, ovoids and similar solid fuels manufactured from coal	0.1%
Articles of asbestos-cement, cellulose...Articles of asbestos-cement, cellulose fibre-cement or the like	0.1%
Printing ink, writing or drawing ink and other...Printing ink, writing or drawing ink and other inks, whether or not concentrated or solid	0.1%
See More Products	71.1%

Source: Comtrade, Latest Available Data

To go further, check out our service Import Export Flows.

Main Services

0.2 bn USD of services exported in 2019
Computer and information servicesComputer and information services	24.19%
TravelTravel +	23.19%
Business travelBusiness travel	16.57%
Personal travelPersonal travel	6.61%
TransportationTransportation	16.63%
Insurance servicesInsurance services	14.18%
Financial servicesFinancial services	10.26%
Other business servicesOther business services	6.87%
Government servicesGovernment services	4.08%
Cultural and recreational servicesCultural and recreational services	0.59%

0.4 bn USD of services imported in 2019
TravelTravel +	29.95%
Business travelBusiness travel	15.00%
Personal travelPersonal travel	14.95%
TransportationTransportation	26.38%
Other business servicesOther business services	17.46%
Insurance servicesInsurance services	9.45%
Computer and information servicesComputer and information services	5.81%
Government servicesGovernment services	5.78%
Cultural and recreational servicesCultural and recreational services	4.16%
Royalties and license feesRoyalties and license fees	1.01%

Source: United Nations Statistics Division, Latest Available Data

Sources of General Economic Information

Ministries: List of Malawi's Ministries
Statistical Office: National Statistical Office of Malawi
Central Bank: Reserve Bank
Stock Exchange: Malawi Stock Exchange
Search Engines: Google Malawi
Biz Malawi
Economic Portals

Political Outline

Current Political Leaders: Lazarus Chakwera (President of Malawi since 2020)
Next Election Dates: Presidential Election: 2025
Main Political Parties: Malawi is a multi-party state system. The main political parties include:
- People's Party (PP) - centre-right
- Malawi Congress Party (MCP) - centre-right (current President Lazarus Chakwera belongs to the MCP)
- United Democratic Front (UDF) - centre-left
- Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) - liberal
- United Transformation Movement (UTM)
Type of State: Democratic Republic.
Executive Power: Executive power is exercised by the government. The President of Malawi, elected through universal direct suffrage every 5 years, is both chief of state and head of the executive power. The President appoints his Cabinet, whose members can be drawn from either within or outside of the Parliament.
Together with the President, a vice-president is elected. The president can choose to appoint a second vice president, who must be from a different party.
Legislative Power: Legislative power is vested in the Parliament, which under the Constitution has two chambers: the National Assembly - with its 193 members elected for a five-year term in single-seat constituencies - and the Senate - which was originally meant to have 80 seats and had to represent traditional leaders, different geographical districts and special interest groups (such as women, the disabled, young people), but which has never been created.

Indicator of Freedom of the Press

Definition

Definition:

The world rankings, published annually, measures violations of press freedom worldwide. It reflects the degree of freedom enjoyed by journalists, the media and digital citizens of each country and the means used by states to respect and uphold this freedom. Finally, a note and a position are assigned to each country. To compile this index, Reporters Without Borders (RWB) prepared a questionnaire incorporating the main criteria (44 in total) to assess the situation of press freedom in a given country. This questionnaire was sent to partner organisations,150 RWB correspondents, journalists, researchers, jurists and human rights activists. It includes every kind of direct attacks against journalists and digital citizens (murders, imprisonment, assault, threats, etc.) or against the media (censorship, confiscation, searches and harassment etc.).

World Rank:: 62/180

Indicator of Political Freedom

Definition

Definition:

The Indicator of Political Freedom provides an annual evaluation of the state of freedom in a country as experienced by individuals. The survey measures freedom according to two broad categories: political rights and civil liberties. The ratings process is based on a checklist of 10 political rights questions (on Electoral Process, Political Pluralism and Participation, Functioning of Government) and 15 civil liberties questions (on Freedom of Expression, Belief, Associational and Organizational Rights, Rule of Law, Personal Autonomy and Individual Rights). Scores are awarded to each of these questions on a scale of 0 to 4, where a score of 0 represents the smallest degree and 4 the greatest degree of rights or liberties present. The total score awarded to the political rights and civil liberties checklist determines the political rights and civil liberties rating. Each rating of 1 through 7, with 1 representing the highest and 7 the lowest level of freedom, corresponds to a range of total scores.

Ranking:: Partly Free
Political Freedom:: 3/7

Political freedom in the world (interactive map)
Source: Freedom in the World Report, Freedom House

COVID-19 Country Response

COVID-19 epidemic evolution: To find out about the latest status of the COVID19 pandemic evolution and the most up-to-date statistics on the COVID-19 disease in Malawi, please visit the Ministry of Health's COVID-19 National Information Dashboard.

For the international outlook you can consult the latest situation reports published by the World Health Organisation as well as the global daily statistics on the coronavirus pandemic evolution including data on confirmed cases and deaths by country.
Sanitary measures: To find out about the latest public health situation in Malawi and the current sanitary measures in vigour, please consult the Ministry of Health Coronavirus 2020 document.
Travel restrictions: The COVID-19 situation, including the spread of new variants, evolves rapidly and differs from country to country. All travelers need to pay close attention to the conditions at their destination before traveling. Regularly updated information for all countries with regards to Covid-19 related travel restrictions in place including entry regulations, flight bans, test requirements and quarantine is available on TravelDoc Infopage.
It is also highly recommended to consult COVID-19 Travel Regulations Map provided and updated on the daily basis by IATA.
The US government website of Centers of Disease Control and Prevention provides COVID-19 Travel Recommendations by Destination.
The UK Foreign travel advice also provides travelling abroad advice for all countries, including the latest information on coronavirus, safety and security, entry requirements and travel warnings.
Import & export restrictions: There are no officially announced import or export restrictions in Malawi related to COVID-19.
Economic recovery plan: There is no officially announced economic recovery plan in Malawi related to COVID-19 so far. For future possible up-to-date information please visit the website of the Malawi Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning and Development.
For the general overview of the key economic policy responses to the COVID-19 outbreak (fiscal monetary and macroeconomic) taken by the Malawian government to limit the socio-economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, please consult the section dedicated to Malawi in the IMF’s Policy Tracker platform.
Support plan for businesses: For information on the local business support scheme established by the Malawian government and other organizations to help small and medium-sized companies to deal with the economic impacts of the COVID19 epidemic on their activity refer to the Reserve Bank of Malawi’s document Measures to Mitigate the Impact of Covid-19 from the Mobile Network Operators and Microfinance Sector.

For a general overview of international SME support policy responses to the COVID-19 outbreak refer to the World Bank's Map of SME-Support Measures in Response to COVID-19.
Support plan for exporters: There are no specific import or export restrictions in Malawi related to COVID-19 so far For future possible up-to-date information please visit the website of the Malawian Ministry of Industry and Trade.

Any Comment About This Content? Report It to Us.