Malawi workshop sets out green industrialisation priorities

Malawi opened a national workshop on green and inclusive industrialisation in Lilongwe on 7 September 2026, bringing together government, the United Nations and the Economic Commission for Africa. The meeting was scheduled for 7–8 September and sought practical strategies to strengthen Malawi’s role in regional value chains. Principal Secretary for Industrialisation Bright Molande argued that private enterprise should lead the industrialisation agenda, with government creating conditions for investment and business development. He identified university-linked innovation and manufacturing, larger-scale micro, small and medium enterprises and cooperatives, mining and mineral processing, expansion of existing industries and foreign direct investment as pathways. ECA’s Southern Africa director, Eunice Kamwendo, highlighted agriculture and agro-processing, renewable energy, critical minerals, circular-economy activities and small-business innovation. She called for efficient processing and climate-smart technologies to improve productivity, while using mineral resources to support broader industry rather than relying on raw or semi-finished exports. Speakers stressed access to finance, technology, skills, energy and markets for small enterprises, women and young people. Regional integration and the African Continental Free Trade Area were presented as routes to larger markets. United Nations Resident Coordinator Rebecca Adda-Dontoh said success should be judged by livelihoods, including those of smallholder farmers and vulnerable communities. Priorities included resilient infrastructure, renewable energy, irrigation, efficient water management and sustainable agriculture. The workshop was expected to produce recommendations on green industrial policy, clean energy, technology transfer, small-enterprise development and circular production, aligned with Malawi 2063 and Agenda 2063. Nexus analysis: This report records policy discussion at the opening of a workshop, not adopted final recommendations or financed projects. Implementation will require coordinated responsibilities and investable business proposals. No funding envelope, procurement award or construction commitment is established by the announcement.