Malawi has announced a nationwide ban on the export of raw minerals as part of a new strategy to promote domestic processing and industrialisation.
Speaking at a cabinet swearing-in ceremony at Sanjika Palace in Blantyre, President Peter Mutharika said the measure, which takes immediate effect, is designed to boost local value addition, create jobs, and strengthen economic independence.
He noted that by processing minerals locally, Malawi could retain up to $500 million annually that is currently lost through unprocessed exports.
“I will not allow the exportation of raw materials from our mines,” said President Mutharika. “We must stop exporting opportunity and start building industries.”
The ban covers key mining regions, including rutile deposits in Kasiya and rare earth reserves in Kangankunde. With resources such as uranium, bauxite, graphite, coal, and gemstones, Malawi is positioning itself as a potential beneficiation hub for Southern Africa.
President Mutharika described the move as a cornerstone of his economic reform agenda, calling on his cabinet to prioritise industrial output and sustainable growth.
However, economists have warned that the policy’s success will depend on significant investment in infrastructure, technology, and regulatory capacity.
Similar policies elsewhere in Africa have yielded mixed results. Zimbabwe’s 2023 lithium export ban led to increased smuggling, while Tanzania’s 2017 gold export restrictions drove many miners into informal markets. Analysts say Malawi will need strong enforcement and strategic planning to avoid the same pitfalls.
