Malawi Value Chains Project

The Malawi Value Chains (MVC) Project implemented by Adam Smith International is one of three components of the Malawi Trade and Investment Programme (MTIP), a 5-year Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office funded initiative which aims to break Malawi’s cycle of low growth through driving exports. The overall objective for MVC is to design and implement the value chain component of MTIP with the goal to increase the productivity, quality and production performance of macadamia and mango. Clusters of medium/large enterprises with high growth potential will be purposively targeted. Specific initiatives will aim to be innovative and disruptive and based on what is achievable within the political context, and what will have the greatest impact. Other complementary MTIP activities/components will focus on increasing access to patient capital and cutting the time and costs of trade and logistics (TradeMark Africa).
The Malawi Value Chains Project focuses on macadamia, mango, and mining to increase exports by fostering collaboration and tackling systemic issues across the value chain.

Our Value Chains

Macadamia

Over the past decade, the macadamia value chain has undergone considerable evolution. This period witnessed an unprecedented increase in land planted to macadamia and the entry of new players in Malawi. There have also been major increases in planting in other countries driven by high prices, resulting in large falls in average prices in the recent past (2022-23). Despite its impressive progress, Malawi’s macadamia industry faces several challenges. The MVC Project has engaged closely with the MMA and macadamia stakeholders to identify key initiatives that can help address the challenges. Read more

Mango

Mango production is primarily of local varieties that are not suitable for export due to their taste profile and high fibre content. As a result, exports have so far been limited, accounting for only 0.25% of Malawi's total exports in 2022. The limited application of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), in particular by mid-sized farms, has led to lower yield and quality issues, resulting in lower returns and hindering commercialisation.
There is now some momentum among larger and mid-sized commercial growers for cultivating commercial mango varieties that have export potential. Malawi Mangoes has demonstrated the viability of growing these varieties under managed conditions and accessing fresh fruit markets in India , South Africa and the Middle East, along with dried fruit markets in Europe and beyond. MVC is working on several initiatives to address the challenges and seize the opportunities for mango. Read more

Mining

A third of Africa’s total wealth is held in natural capital, and new discoveries, including in Malawi, make the region even more resource rich. Discoveries of energy transition minerals in Malawi, such as rare earths, niobium, rutile, and graphite, present opportunities for increased exports, revenues and growth. Whilst there are major opportunities to secure new mining investments and sizable production and revenues (uranium, graphite, niobium, other metals), several challenges have emerged that threaten to derail the potential benefits of the economy from such opportunities.

The MVC project provides support aimed at reducing the timeframe take to bring the investment portfolios to fruition and improving the technical understanding of mining deals among government staff.