Malawi told to capitalise on China zero-tariff deal

The National Working Group on Trade and Policy says Malawi needs a serious export strategy to benefit from the Chinese Government zero-tarrif import regime. In a written response on Monday, the group’s chairperson Frederick Changaya observed that China’s decision to implement zero-tariff treatment for imports from the 53 African countries, including Malawi starting May 1 2026, expands Malawi’s market for exports. He said: “This serves our exports better, especially on prices which often collapse when there is normal production for thinner markets.

“In this case, Malawi stands to benefit not only in the ready market, but also in better prices.” The decision by China comes in the wake of the United States renewing the African Growth and Opportunity Act for one year and ongoing tensions between African nations and the European Union regarding economic Partnership agreements. Previously, China offered a zero-tariff policy to 98 percent of tariff lines for 33 African least developed countries (LDCs), but in 2024 it expanded to include all products from African LDCs. In an interview, Ministry of Industrialisation, Business, Trade and Tourism spokesperson Patrick Botha said the tariff removal on nearly all African exports to China enhances market access opportunities that the private sector to harness.

“The development also complements Malawi’s recent success in securing access to the Chinese market for products such as groundnuts, soya beans and macadamia,” he said. Data from China Ministry of Foreign Affairs show that bilateral trade volume between China and Malawi was recorded at $259 million (about K454 billion) in 2024.