The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has urged Malawi to register its unique products under geographical indications (GI) to enhance product traceability, prove place of origin and increase value of specific products on global markets.
GI serves as a legal standard of quality, protecting products whose distinct characteristics and reputation are linked to their unique place of origin, local biodiversity and traditional producer know-how.
FAO chief technical adviser for Ecosystem-based Adaptation for Resilient Watersheds and Communities in Malawi (Ebam) Project Ben Vickers said on Thursday in Lilongwe that GI can enhance economic growth and increase export value by unlocking premium international market access and enhance rural incomes.
addition. | George Lumwira
He said tat this is unlike the current situation where Malawi’s unique products are exported to global markets from neighbouring countries.
Said Vickers: “Properly developed GI can support value addition, increase market recognition, strengthen producer incomes, and enhance the competitiveness of Malawian products.
“Geographical indications provide a practical pathway for products linked to a specific geographical origin to be identified, protected, promoted and commercialised on the basis of their quality, reputation or other characteristics.”
Ministry of Industrialisation Business, Trade and Tourism Principal Secretary Wiskes Nkombezi cited products such as macadamia, coffee, tea, rice, chambo fish and honey as critical examples that qualify for GI registration.
He said that using tools such as GI, traceability systems, standards and the Buy Malawi Strategy, the country is building stronger market recognition for Malawian products and ensure that more value remains with the economy.
“The ministry stands ready to play its coordinating role and to work with all relevant stakeholders to ensure that this initiative contributes meaningfully to industrialisation, trade promotion, export competitiveness and inclusive economic development,” he said.
The ministry’s director of legal services Chapusa Phiri said they are ready to create a favourable legal framework for producers in line with GI registration.
The developments are coming at a time Malawi’s trade balance remains negative due to over-reliance on few export commodities, persistent underproduction and weak participation in international markets.
For instance, trade deficit widened by 15 percent in 2025 to $2.67 billion (about K4.6 trillion) from $2.2 billion (about K3.8 trillion) the previous year driven by a surge in imports and a decline in exports, according to the National Statistical Office.
