Malawi

The U.S. seeks to promote health and medical service delivery; improve food security and agriculture-based economic growth; reduce poverty; preserve Malawi’s unique biodiversity and its ability to mitigate climate change; strengthen public and private institutions for better delivery of social services; empower the private sector and civil society; promote economic growth through the revitalization of Malawi’s power sector; and advance democracy, human rights, and good governance. U.S. partnerships with the Government of Malawi, civil society, and other donors aim to strengthen and buttress the government’s efforts to overcome constraints to meet the basic needs of its citizens, support regional stability, and help the government remain a responsible actor on the international stage.

Malawi is eligible for preferential trade benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act. U.S. exports to Malawi totaled $40 million in 2016, and included pharmaceutical products, small electronics, and donated goods, including agricultural products. U.S. imports from Malawi totaled $75 million in 2016, and included tobacco, tea, sugar, macadamia nuts, coffee, and apparel. While U.S. investment is modest, U.S. companies have invested in the agriculture, leisure and tourism, retail, and power sectors. The U.S. has signed a trade and investment framework agreement with the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, of which Malawi is a member.