Minister of Trade and Industry, Engineer Vitumbiko Mumba, has urged Japanese investors to explore and invest in Malawi’s untapped economic opportunities.
Speaking at the Malawi-Japan Business Forum held on the sidelines of Malawi’s Day Expo in Osaka, Japan, Mumba highlighted the country’s potential for sustainable partnerships and inclusive growth.
“Malawi is a land of untapped opportunities—with beautiful landscapes, abundant natural resources, a hard-working and trainable workforce, a peaceful environment, a strong judicial system, and countless investment prospects,” he said. “We invite Japanese investors to be part of our development journey.”
Secretary for Trade and Industry, Christina Zakeyo, reaffirmed Malawi’s commitment to maintaining a business-friendly environment and encouraged Japanese private sector players to consider the country as a stable and promising investment destination.
Malawi Investment and Trade Centre (MITC) Director General, Kruger Phiri, pointed to the trade imbalance between the two countries, with Malawi heavily importing from Japan. He urged Japanese firms to establish local operations in Malawi to reduce the gap and drive mutual economic growth.
The Osaka engagement is part of Malawi’s broader effort to diversify the economy, attract Foreign Direct Investment, and enhance its global economic presence, guided by the Agriculture, Tourism, Mining, and Manufacturing (ATM+M) Strategy—with ICT and energy as key enablers.
Malawi and Japan established diplomatic relations in July 1964 and have strengthened ties through the establishment of embassies in Tokyo (1992) and Lilongwe (2008).
