Local customs clearing agents, under Indigenous Customs Clearing and Forwarding Agents (Iccafa), have rated 2025 as a year of mixed fortunes in business, largely characterised by economic mishaps.
In 2025, Malawi faced myriad economic challenges including rocketing inflation, an unstable exchange rate emanating from an acute forex scarcity— which also affected the supply chain of essential commodities such as fuel.
These, according to Iccaf, coupled with other structural challenges and policy inconsistencies, have had a negative impact on freight handling and customs clearing businesses.
Iccaf Treasurer General, who is also proprietor and chief executive officer for Universal Freight Solutions, McWilliams Mhone said in an interview on Times Television’s Breakfast Live programme on Wednesday that low forex availability had a bearing on customs clearing business.
“To a larger extent, our businesses were affected by shortages of forex. With the forex situation, importers were not able to operate to optimum capacity, and that has had a bearing on our business,” Mhone said.
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He rated the year as a mixed bag, saying while some made headway amid the volatility, growth for most was affected.
Mhone said due to the challenges, some firms had scaled down during the year, with others completely closing shop.
Mhone then said the industry was equally devoted to contributing towards curbing smuggling
He said industry players remained upbeat, saying the outlook for 2025 and beyond looked promising.
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“The outlook remains promising, both for the nation and the customs clearing industry. There is still a need for support of indigenous businesses to thrive,” Mhone said.
Earlier in November, Iccafa members met for their annual conference in Mangochi, where they talked about industry trends and prospects.
The indaba brought together key players in the industry and others from other sectors of the economy.
The meeting was held under the theme ‘The Role of Customs Brokers in Trade Facilitation’.
