Malawi is rapidly transforming from a small, isolated economy to an increasingly attractive investment location. New power projects will expand access to electricity in a country in dire need of energy. At the same time, a recently approved $380 million dollar World Bank corridor project is set to dramatically bring down trade costs. And in agribusiness, Malawi’s major players have started diversifying and investing in new promising crops, such as macadamia nuts.
Recognizing the potential for Malawi’s private sector landscape to change dramatically in the coming years, the Malawi Country Private Sector Diagnostic (CPSD), examines opportunities and constraints in four key sectors: energy, digital infrastructure and services, transport and logistics, and agribusiness. It outlines reforms that could increase private investment, contribute to growth, and support job creation. In energy, the CPSD recommends improvements to the country’s state-owned enterprises to attract independent energy producers interested in entering the market. To improve connectivity, the CPSD highlights the need to continue to find areas of collaboration between public and private sector partners to increase digital connectivity and services and bring down prices for consumers. And in agribusiness, there’s an opportunity to increase productivity.