Malawian entrepreneurs based in South Africa have asked President Lazarus Chakwera to help ease barriers that impede investment in the country.
The group made the appeal to Chakwera, who is currently in the Rainbow Nation for the 15th Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (Brics) Plus Outreach Summit.
Fumu Msiska, the group’s chairperson and proprietor of Cifu Group, said most entrepreneurs face challenges in their attempts to establish businesses in Malawi.
He highlighted lack of support from public officials as a major hurdle.
Msiska said poor capacity in some public offices has limited most from investments in the country, sentiments echoed by other speakers.
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“We have fully equipped contractors who are engaged in significant projects here in South Africa and are eager to return to our home country and contribute to its development,” he said.
Limbikani Mhango, founder of Limbikani Enterprises, lamented bureaucracies when bidding for local jobs.
“Over a year has passed and I am still awaiting a response. Even a simple acknowledgment of my proposals’ futility remains pending. This prolonged waiting is deeply frustrating, especially considering that this is a wholly Malawian-owned company, fully capable of contributing equipment and expertise,” he said.
Bonface Ndawala, Chief Executive Officer for MalCel, a company that has recently obtained a licence from the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority to introduce a third mobile phone service in Malawi, concurred with the two, asking Chakwera to foster favourable atmosphere for investments from Malawians abroad.
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In an interview, Presidential Press Secretary Anthony Kasunda said the President assured the entrepreneurs of a conducive environment as they make significant contributions to the country.
Kasunda said Chakwera’s receptive approach to the raised concerns infused a sense of optimism among the potential investors.
“They perceive his willingness to engage and actively listen as a positive stride toward cultivating an environment conducive to their investment aspirations,” he said.
Chakwera wants to garner international support to bolster Malawi’s economic recovery plan and lobby for debt restructuring.
