So you've decided to start up an investment in Malawi, where do you start? Here are few things you need to know:
Investment Process
The investor must invest at least US$ 50,000.00 in order to be eligible for a Business Residence Permit (BRP).
In applying for a BRP, the investor has to submit application forms in duplicate, which can be obtained from Malawi Investment Promotion Agency, two passport size photographs, project proposal, police clearance from last country of residence and processing fees of MK 10,000.00. Upon approval of the BRP application, the investor has to pay MK 500,000.00 as issuance fees.
The investor has to submit to the Malawi Investment Promotion Agency (MIPA) together with the application forms, a comprehensive project proposal and/or business plan.
The company/enterprise must be incorporated/registered in Malawi. After incorporation, a foreign company is required to register its amount of capital inflow with the Reserve Bank of Malawi (the country’s Central Bank) through a Commercial Bank in Malawi.
Companies are also required to register with the Commissioner of Taxes for the payment of taxes.
The investor has to open a business account with a Malawian Commercial Bank. A business account is only transacted when a BRP and company registration/incorporation have been attained.
Exchange rate: US$ 1.00 = MK 165.00 (December 2011)
Investment Policy and Legislation
Download the investment policy and legislations from the links below:
| Type | Size | |
 Employment Act | 171 kb | |
| Investment Promotion Act | 125 kb | |
| Export Processing Zones Act | 95 kb | |
| Labour Relations Act | 139 kb | |
| Investment Protection |
Investment Opportunities:
various investment opportunities exist in the following areas:
Mining
Agriculture
Tourism
Manufacturing
Forestry
Fore more details on investment opportunities and business operationg costs visit: http://www.malawi-invest.net/
Application Forms
You can download a form here and make an application for an Investment Certificate,Business Residence Permit,Temporary Employment Permit and others. Send your applications to:
The General Manager, Malawi Investment Promotion Agency,Private Bag 302,Lilongwe 3, Malawi
For more information visit: http://www.malawi-invest.net/
Quick Links:
Country Overview: http://www.malawi-invest.net/country_over.html
Policies, Licensing, TEP/BRP, Taxes and duties: http://www.malawi-invest.net/inves_guide_reasons_mal_climate.html
Tourism and Hospitality: http://www.malawi-invest.net/Hospitality.html
Staistics
Demographic Factors - source NSO | |
| Total population (2010) | 15.4 million |
| Lilongwe | 1.905 million |
| Blantyre | 1.001 million |
| Mzuzu including Mzimba | 0.861 million |
| Zomba | 0.668 million |
| Population Density (2010) | 139 per square km. |
| Population growth – National – (2008) | 2.8% |
| Annual Growth Rate (Lilongwe) | 3.7% |
| Annual Growth Rate (Blantyre) | 1.9% |
| Annual Growth Rate | |
| (Mzuzu including Mzimba) | 3.7% |
| Annual Growth Rate (Zomba) | 2.5% |
| Life Expectancy | 54.6 years |
| Literacy Rate | 72.8% |
TRADE AND ECONOMIC INDICATORS | |
| Real GDP growth (2011) | 6.9% |
| Real GDP growth (2010) | 6.7% |
| GNP per capita (2010) | US$ 287.6 |
| Exports (FOB) - (2009) | US$ 927.52 million |
| Imports (CIF) – (2009) | US$ 1,281.64 million |
| Visible Balance (2009) | US$ - 353.64 million |
| Currency | Malawi Kwacha (MK) US$ 1.00=MK 165.00 (December, 2011) |
| Inflation rate (April 2011) | 7.1% |
| Inflation rate (May 2011) | 7.0% |
| Average Annual Inflation Rate (2010) | 7.4% |
| Average Annual Inflation Rate (2009) | 8.4% |
GDP composition | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 |
| Agriculture | 32.94% | 31.58% | 27.64% |
| Manufacturing | 7.99% | 9.89% | 10.76% |
| Financial and Professional Services | 10.51% | 10.85% | 10.54% |
| Information and Communication | 3.44% | 4.52% | 4.14% |
| Transport and Storage | 3.41% | 3.45% | 3.83% |
| Construction | 4.55% | 3.47% | 3.21% |
| Mining and Qarrying | 0.87% | 0.98% | 2.32% |
