Malawi Investment and Trade Centre (Mitc) says more than 43 Malawian businesses are set to explore trade and investment opportunities in Tanzania at the third Malawi–Tanzania Investment and Trade Forum.
The forum, organised by the Tanzania Trade Development Authority from July 29 to 31 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, comes three years after Malawi hosted the second edition in 2023.
Mitc spokesperson Ndondwa Msaka said in an interview on Friday that the event seeks to strengthen bilateral trade and investment ties as well as opening new markets for businesses in both countries.
“The businesses include members of the Confederation of Malawi Women in Business, National Association of Small and Medium Enterprises [Nasme], cooperatives, agro-dealers, manufacturers, tourism operators and private investors,” she said.
Nasme executive coordinator William Mwale said the association expects to sign a memorandum of understanding with Tanzania’s Small Industries Development Organisation to supply soap-making machinery to Malawian cooperatives.
“They are currently producing soap at a small-scale because of lack of machinery, but with that technology, they can increase production, maximise revenue and help reduce prices,” he said.
Tanzania’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Hashil Abdallah said in a statement that the private sector is key in economic development as such they need to be supported.
“There are several initiatives aimed at reducing bureaucratic costs and facilitation of trade to enable investors to access services with ease,” he said.
Key sectors under discussion during the forum include agriculture, food security, energy, mining, tourism, infrastructure and manufacturing.
National Statistical Office data show that Malawi’s trade balance with Tanzania has shifted in recent years. While Malawi recorded surpluses up to 2022, it posted a deficit of K483.7 billion in 2024, driven by a surge in imports of finished products.
