By Wezzie Gausi:
Malawians largely support open trade and want African countries to have a stronger voice in global decision-making, a new Afrobarometer survey has shown.
Findings from Afrobarometer Dispatch, released on Monday, indicate that six out of 10 Malawians believe removing barriers to international trade would benefit the economy, although a significant proportion still favours protecting local industries.
The survey paints a mixed picture of public perception with 60 percent of respondents backing trade liberalisation while 38 percent prefer limiting trade to shield domestic producers.
Despite this support, fewer than half of Malawians, at 48 percent, say the country should trade with all countries globally. Others favour a more regional approach, with 26 percent supporting trade within Africa and 13 percent preferring trade within Southern Africa only.
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The findings come against the backdrop of Malawi’s efforts to integrate into global markets, including its ratification of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in 2021.
However , awareness of the agreement remains low, with only 12 percent of citizens saying they have heard about it.
Commenting on the findings, economist Velli Nyirongo said the mixed views reflected both opportunity and caution among Malawians.
“Support for trade liberalisation is encouraging because it shows people understand the potential for economic growth and job creation.
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“But the hesitation we are seeing also points to real concerns about the country’s readiness to compete, especially in agriculture and small-scale industries,”Nyirongo said.
Nyirongo said Malawi needed to invest in productivity and infrastructure if it were to fully benefit from open markets.
On global governance, the survey shows strong support for greater African influence, with 69 percent of respondents saying African countries should have more say in international bodies such as the United Nations.
At the continental level, about half of Malawians believe the country’s interests are adequately represented, with 52 percent satisfied with the African Union and 49 percent with the Southern African Development Community.
The report also highlights generally positive perceptions of foreign influence in Malawi.
At least four in 10 respondents rate the economic and political influence of major global actors, including the United States, China and the European Union, as positive.
However, knowledge gaps remain a concern. For instance, half of respondents could not identify which country or organisation provided the most support to Malawi during the Covid-19 pandemic.
On geopolitical issues, awareness of the Russia-Ukraine war stands at 58 percent. Among those aware, a majority prefer that Malawi maintains a neutral stance.
The Afrobarometer survey interviewed a nationally representative sample of 1,200 adult Malawians, providing insights into public attitudes on governance, economic policy, and international relations.
