At a time when Malawi’s economy continues to struggle with foreign exchange shortages, high prices, and constrained investment, Press Corporation plc is betting that its aggressive push into key sectors could help shift the country’s long-term economic trajectory.
The Group has posted a K261 billion profit for 2025, more than double the K126 billion recorded last year, and says the momentum will now be channelled into deeper investments across energy, agriculture, tourism, transport, and health.
Speaking during a stakeholder engagement in Blantyre, Group Chief Executive Officer Ronald Mangani said the expansion strategy is aimed at strengthening the real economy and unlocking sectors that have long held back growth.
He said the Group is deliberately targeting areas that have a direct impact on production and livelihoods, sectors where bottlenecks often ripple across the entire economy.
One of the most significant expected benefits is in the energy sector, where Press is advancing a 50-megawatt solar power project.
“This 50-megawatt solar project is very important for us because it speaks directly to one of Malawi’s biggest challenges, reliable and affordable energy supply,” Mangani said.
If successfully implemented, the project is expected to ease electricity constraints that have slowed manufacturing, small businesses, and industrial expansion.
In agriculture and agro-processing, the Group is pushing into fertilizer production, ethanol, and carbon dioxide processing, moves that could improve input supply, reduce import dependence, and support farmers with more reliable access to farm essentials.
“In agriculture, what we are doing is about supporting productivity. Fertilizer production and related projects are meant to reduce dependence on imports and strengthen value chains for farmers,” Mangani said.
Mangani also said Press is expanding into transport, tourism, and health, sectors that are expected to create ripple effects through job creation, service delivery improvement, and increased private investment participation.
“In transport and other service sectors, the intention is to improve efficiency, create jobs, and support the movement of goods and people more effectively across the economy,” he said.
He further said the Group is pushing into commodity trading and distribution in partnership with African financial institutions, a move expected to improve regional trade flows and potentially ease pressure on Malawi’s scarce foreign exchange reserves.
Beyond production sectors, Press is also moving into transport, tourism, and health, industries that are expected to create ripple effects through job creation, service delivery improvement, and increased private investment participation.
In the telecommunications and digital space, developments such as TNM’s acquisition of the OCL Data Centre are expected to strengthen digital infrastructure, improve data services, and support the country’s broader push towards a digital economy.
Mangani acknowledged that the forex shortage remains a major risk, but said the Group’s diversified investment strategy is partly designed to cushion the economy by creating alternative income streams and improving trade efficiency.
“Foreign exchange availability remains one of the biggest constraints in our operating environment. It affects everything, imports, investment, and growth. We are trying, in our own way, to contribute to easing that pressure,” Mangani said.
Minority Shareholders of Listed Companies (MISALICO) Secretary General Frank Harawa welcomed the Group’s performance, saying the strong profit growth reflects disciplined management and value creation for investors even in a difficult operating environment.
Harawa said the expansion strategy into key sectors is a positive signal for the wider economy, arguing that increased investment in energy, agriculture, and infrastructure could help unlock productivity and improve Malawi’s long-term growth prospects.
