The African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) has has released a report that has outlined its member countries’ contribution to towards the initiative, and the report shows that Malawi’s contribution has remained at 0.15% in the past 2 years,  despite various trade strides announced.

In comparison, South Africa (0.524 percent), Tanzania (0.49 percent), Zambia (0.45 percent) and Mozambique (0.035 percent) are fairing much better than Malawi.

Agoa has expressed that Malawi’s 0.15% is the minimum contribution to the Trade Policy Agenda’s trade act.

The Malawi Confederation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (MCCCI) chief executive officer Chancellor Kaferapanjira attributed the static progress of 0.15% to weak manufacturing base and continued overreliance on the domestic market which is hampering local companies for utilising Agoa.

Figures show that during the period under review, Malawi’s contribution was worth $29 192 (about K21 million) both in 2017 and 2018 respectively.

Agoa is an initiative that has seen sub-Saharan African countries exporting goods to the US on a duty free basis with the aim of enhancing market access to the US for qualifying countries.