Government is set to roll out the National Single Window, a digital trade platform aimed at streamlining import and export procedures, by June 2025.
In a written response, Ministry of Trade and Industry director of trade in goods Charity Musonzo said the National Single Window will reduce trade costs, enhance transparency, and improve the ease of doing business in Malawi.
She said: “Traders will no longer have to move from one office to another for permits and clearances, as all processes will be conducted on a single digital platform.”
Musonzo also said the system will simplify trade procedures, improve predictability, and enable real-time tracking of applications, potentially encouraging more businesses, particularly SMEs, to participate in international trade.
Ministry of Trade and Industry is spearheading the implementation of the National Single Window,with technical support from CrimsonLogic, a Singapore-based firm specialising in trade facilitation solutions.
The rollout will occur in phases, beginning with pilot testing in March 2025, which will involve seven key government agencies, ahead of full implementation in June 2025.
Malawi Investment and Trade Centre chief executive officer Paul Kwengwere said the export component will enable exporters to access application forms, submit completed forms, and upload supporting documents to the National Single Window for review and processing.
“Such services entitle every registered exporter to a set of tax incentives purposefully designed to facilitate export-oriented SMEs’ access to regional and international markets,” he said.
However, some stakeholders, particularly local SMEs, have raised concerns about their capacity to adopt the new system due to potential challenges with digital literacy and Internet access.
The $97.1 million (about K170 billion) project, supported by the World Bank through the Southern Africa Trade Connectivity project, was set to roll out by the end of last year.
