Malawi has renewed its call for increased private-sector investment to accelerate its industrialisation ambitions, Secretary for Industrialisation, Business, Trade and Tourism Wiskesi Nkombezi has said.
Speaking in Lilongwe on Friday, at Impact Integration and Investment Forum Awards 2025, Nkombezi told business leaders that the country was open for business and ready to forge partnerships that could stimulate job creation and support inclusive economic growth.
Nkombezi said industrialisation remained the central pillar of Malawi’s long-term economic transformation strategy.
While agriculture continues to anchor the economy, he said productivity gains in the sector must be complemented by value addition and expanded processing capacity for Malawi to compete effectively in regional and global markets.
He added that mining and infrastructure development, which he described as key sources of raw materials, energy and logistical support, were essential enablers of industrial expansion.
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Nkombezi said private sector participation was indispensable, noting that no country had industrialised without bold and sustained investment from non-State actors.
With the government pushing reforms, strengthening infrastructure and improving governance to create an enabling business environment, Nkombezi said it was the private sector’s capital, innovation and entrepreneurial energy that would determine whether Malawi achieves its ambition of becoming a self-reliant, upper middle-income economy.
He outlined six priority areas that were open for investment: agro-processing and agro-industrial value chains; manufacturing and light industry; mining and value addition; tourism and hospitality; industrial parks and Special Economic Zones (SEZs); and the green and digital economy.
“In agro-processing and agro-industrial value chains, opportunities exist in oilseed processing, sugar, tea, coffee, macadamia, grains milling and cotton-to-textile. Value addition in agriculture increases competitiveness, creates jobs, and strengthens rural livelihoods.
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“In manufacturing and light industry, key sectors include pharmaceuticals, construction materials, packaging, furniture and ICT hardware. Expanding these industries supports industrial diversification and regional export competitiveness,” he said.
Sparc Systems Managing Director Wisely Phiri said Malawi could not industrialise using public funds alone.
Phiri said private investment enabled value addition, manufacturing and exports; energy solutions; technology adoption and productivity; and scalable job creation.
Phiri, who is also Malawi Confederation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry president, said the private sector needed predictable policies and regulatory consistency across ministries.
At the event, firms that have excelled in various categories were recognised.
