Investing in Malawi

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	PDF	171 kb
Investment Promotion Act	PDF	125 kb
Export Processing Zones Act	PDF	95 kb
Labour Relations Act	PDF	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%