The Malawi Bureau of Standards (MBS) and the Tea Association of Malawi (TAML) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening industry standards, enhancing transparency and promoting fair trade in Malawi’s tea sector.
The agreement was signed on 22 October 2026 at the TAML offices in Blantyre, marking a renewed commitment by the two institutions to collaborate in improving standards and ensuring fairness in the tea industry.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, MBS Director General Symon O. Mandala stressed the need for the tea industry to transition from Class IIII weighing scales to the more accurate Class III scales.
Mandala said adopting more accurate weighing equipment would help promote transparency in tea transactions, protect the interests of stakeholders and ensure that all parties receive fair treatment during trading activities.
He said improved weighing accuracy was essential in building confidence among industry players and strengthening trust in the country’s tea trade.
Meanwhile, TAML Chairperson Sangwani Hara said the signing of the MoU demonstrated the commitment of both institutions to working together to improve industry standards, strengthen consumer protection and promote a fair and sustainable tea sector.
Hara said collaboration between the two institutions would contribute to the development of a more reliable and competitive tea industry in Malawi.
Chapusa Phiri, representing the Ministry of Industrialisation, Trade, Business and Tourism, also expressed optimism about the future of the country’s tea industry.
Phiri said the ministry looked forward to supporting initiatives aimed at strengthening the sector and making it more successful.
The agreement is expected to provide a framework for cooperation between MBS and TAML in addressing standards-related challenges and supporting fair trading practices within Malawi’s tea industry.
Tea remains an important agricultural commodity for Malawi, making accurate measurement, quality standards and transparent trading practices essential to the industry’s sustainability and competitiveness.
