The Malawi Investment and Trade Centre (MITC) has wrapped up a high-level investment mission to China with a major win for the country’s industrialisation agenda. Led by Director General Kruger Phiri, the MITC delegation attracted significant interest and secured critical commitments toward the development of Malawi’s Special Economic Zones (SEZs) during a series of investment forums held in Ningbo and Shenzhen from August 6th to 8th, 2025.
Over 300 Chinese investors attended the two forums, held in partnership with the Xidian International Stock Exchange, where Malawi showcased its strategic advantages as an emerging hub for trade and manufacturing in Africa. Delegates from both the public and private sectors explored opportunities in key sectors such as agro-processing, manufacturing, mining, tourism, and technology.
At the heart of the discussions was Malawi’s flagship SEZ initiative, positioned as a gateway to regional and global markets. In his keynote address, Phiri emphasised that Malawi’s zones offer more than tax incentives, they present a long-term growth opportunity for international businesses. He highlighted the government’s commitment to investor support, market accessibility, and policy stability, declaring that Malawi is “inviting investors not just to do business, but to grow with the country.”
The forums resulted in the signing of more than ten cooperation agreements between Chinese enterprises and MITC’s promotional partner, the Xidian International Stock Exchange. These agreements signal a tangible shift toward implementation, moving the SEZ agenda from strategy to action.
MITC board member Patience Chatiska delivered a compelling call to Chinese investors to take full advantage of Malawi’s readiness. Her address painted a vivid picture of Chipoka SEZ as a fertile ground for global commerce, urging companies to make Malawi their next manufacturing base and carry the ‘Made in Malawi’ brand to international markets.
Momentum from the forums has already translated into immediate outcomes. Twenty Chinese companies are set to visit Malawi in September for site inspections at the Chipoka SEZ, marking a critical step from investment interest.
The delegation also held strategic visits to major Chinese firms, including Shenzhen Zhonghang Industrial Co., Ltd., a top exporter of luggage to the US, and Jinshi Group, a global leader in 3D industrial printing.
These engagements underscored the calibre of partners Malawi is now attracting through its SEZ strategy.
With diplomatic ties strengthened and a pipeline of investment now in motion, Malawi stands at the threshold of a new industrial era.
The journey that began in Ningbo and Shenzhen is already forging a direct path to Chipoka, and with it, the next chapter in Malawi’s economic transformation.
