Malawi's export sector has recorded a sharp contraction, with the number of exporting firms falling by 47 percent. According to a March 10 report by Nyasa Times, the total number of active exporting businesses dropped from 1,227 to just 654 based on the Finscope MSME Survey 2025. The decline highlights ongoing economic and operational challenges for local businesses attempting to reach international markets.
In the public sector, the financial crisis at the Malawi Housing Corporation has deepened. Nyasa Times reported on March 8 that the statutory body has recorded K8.1 billion in cumulative losses over four years and is currently burdened with K9.1 billion in debt. The financial exposure revealed that the corporation's liabilities have now nearly doubled its total assets of K4.9 billion, raising questions about its operational viability.
In international trade developments, agricultural exports from Malawian smallholder farmers are set to increase in the United Kingdom. According to Co-op News on March 8, the newly formed OurCoop retail network announced it is expanding the "Our Malawi Partnership" across its combined UK stores. The trade initiative connects Malawian women farmers directly with UK consumers to support sustainable incomes and fund local clean water and tree-planting projects.
Domestically, female entrepreneurs received targeted support during the International Women's Day Expo held at the Amaryllis Hotel in Blantyre. According to Maravi Express, Mirage PR Managing Director Efrida Chigwe challenged women running small and medium enterprises to share business skills and close operational gaps. The March 8 event featured an SME clinic designed to equip rising entrepreneurs with the knowledge needed to scale their trades and contribute to national economic growth.