This article covers trade and economic relations between India and Malawi: the history of trade, the latest trade figures, Indian investment, business events, and cooperation in the mining and power sectors. It is based on the MEA brief of April 2026 published by India's Ministry of External Affairs. The figures describe the position at that time.

Historical background

According to the MEA brief of April 2026, India-Malawi trade relations are historic and date back to the 18th century, coinciding with the arrival of Indian traders, mainly from Gujarat, in Africa.

Trade preferences

As a Least Developed Country (LDC), Malawi is a beneficiary of the Government of India's Duty Free Tariff Preference (DFTP) scheme, introduced in April 2008.

Trade figures

The brief states that bilateral trade between India and Malawi in 2024-25 stood at approx. US$ 170.64 million. Indian exports to Malawi were US$ 94.56 million, and exports from Malawi to India were US$ 76.08 million.

The brief adds that the trade balance has always been in India's favour.

Investment

According to the brief, India is one of the largest investors in Malawi, with over US$500 million worth of investment as of April 2026.

Business events and delegations

The Indian High Commission has organised several business events in Malawi:

  • An India-Malawi Business Seminar was held in Blantyre on 8 October 2025 to explore trade and investment opportunities. Discussions focused on agriculture and food processing, renewable energy, pharmaceuticals, mining, engineering goods and digital public infrastructure.
  • On 30 January 2026, the Mission organised an Exclusive Virtual Industry Interaction with the Malawi Investment and Trade Centre (MITC) and the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).
  • A 9-member CII delegation visited Malawi from 15-17 February and held meetings with the Vice President of Malawi, the Finance Minister and the Principal Secretary (Agriculture).
  • With the Malawian Confederation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (MCCCI), the Mission organised a B2B meeting in Blantyre on 17 February 2026. It was attended by the Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Simon Itaye, and the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Edgar Tembo.

Malawian ministers have also attended business events in India. Mr. Zikhalie Ng'oma, Minister of Mining, led a delegation to the 20th CII India-Africa Business Conclave in New Delhi from 27-29 August 2025.

Cooperation in mining

India and Malawi signed an MoU on "Cooperation in the field of Mineral Resources Development" in 2010. A Joint Working Group (JWG) was established under the MoU, and the brief states that two meetings of the JWG had been held as of April 2026.

A revised MoU on Cooperation in the field of Mines and Mineral resources is under consideration by the Government of Malawi, according to the brief. Dr Jean Mathanga, Malawi's Minister of Energy and Mining, visited New Delhi from 19-22 March 2026 to take part in the Bharat Electricity Summit (BES). During the visit she met the Secretary (Mines) of the Government of India to discuss possible collaboration in the mining sector.

Cooperation in the power sector

In May 2020, an MoU for cooperation in power generation was signed between EGENCO, the Malawi power generation company, and NTPC, the Indian public sector company.

During the same visit to attend BES 2026 in New Delhi, Dr Jean Mathanga met India's Minister of Power, Mr Manohar Lal, to discuss possible collaboration in the power sector. Earlier, in July 2025, Malawi's Minister of Energy, Mr. Ibrahim Matola, visited the Kilokari Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project site in Delhi.