By Thitha Mbilizi

Most economies have faced a dent on economic progress due to the Covid-19 lockdown measures implemented globally, and Malawi’s economy was not spared. Malawi Government has, therefore, embarked on a number of economic recovery strategies which are also incorporated in the Malawi Vision 2063. Key to this is to drive trade and investment. It is for this reason that the Malawi Mission in South Africa, through its Consulate and the High Commission, have taken an initiative to host a Malawi Investment Forum.

The Malawi Investment Forum will be held from 24th May to 25th May 2023, at The Emperors Palace, Kempton Park in Johannesburg. The Forum which will be held under the theme “A Prosperous Malawi Through Strategic Investment Partnerships, will mark the first time Malawi has provided such a platform for potential investors in South Africa and beyond. It is aimed at engaging with high ranking government officials from key Ministries, Departments and Agencies, State Owned Enterprises as well as private sector partners.

The Malawi Investment Forum aims at giving potential investors, financiers, and business captains an opportunity to engage and explore investment opportunities available in Malawi. The Forum will showcase bankable projects in the following identified key sectors: energy, tourism, mining, agriculture, manufacturing, and infrastructure. Opportunities in the health, education, financial and ICT sectors will also be highlighted.

The Investment Forum will have three main activities: a Conference, B2B meetings, and exhibitions. Participation at the conference is free for invited delegates. It is expected that participants will learn about the Malawi’s bankable investment projects and network with over 300 delegates.

Speaking about the event, Malawi’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Her Excellency, Mrs. Stella Ndau said “the event has been organized to showcase the immerse and mostly greenfield investment opportunities available in Malawi, in various sectors, to South African based potential Investors and beyond”.

As a country, Malawi is expected to benefit from any investments which will be achieved and secured at this event and that investors will also benefit and see value in the country’s rich and abundant natural resources, favourable climate for agriculture, and various tourist attractions among others. She added that potential investors must seriously consider Malawi’s bankable projects and that they should know of such projects hence the relevance of the Forum.

Mr. Maxwell Biwi, the Consul General at the Malawi Consulate-General in Johannesburg further explained that “to ensure that potential investors access the most credible and relevant information, all relevant government bodies that are key and relevant in the promotion and facilitation of investments in Malawi will be in attendance to serve and engage with the investors right on the floor”. He further expressed his gratitude for the support from Malawian private sector players as well as SOEs who have come on board to make this event a reality through sponsorships. These include the lead partner-Standard Bank Malawi; Platinum sponsors: FDH Bank, Mukuru, National Bank of Malawi and NICO Holdings Plc; and Gold Sponsors- Press Trust, Press Cooperation Plc and Blantyre Water Board.

Speaking after our first local engagement session, Don Consultancy Group Chief Economist Mr. Chifi Mhango said: “The Malawi Investment Forum is the path in the right direction and fully endorse the initiative by the Malawi Government. Trade and Investment are a key component for driving economic growth and prosperity to which Malawi should take advantage of. Malawi is a country that is well endowed with beautiful unexploited landscapes along the Lake Shores, vast fertile arable land, rivers and lakes to support irrigation farming, newly discovered vast mineral resources and above all, political stability.”

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to be Malawi’s strategic investment partner. To register, please click here today and secure your spot at the Malawi Investment Forum!