Despite the manufacturing sector’s slowdown, the Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) has predicted 3.5% growth in 2019.

The central bank has justified its prediction by the expected bumper harvests of maize, as the poor harvests in 2018 influenced low manufacturing figures.

In addition, RBM has also stated that in the medium term, finalisation of the Malawi-Mozambique power interconnection project will translate to more growth in the sector.

The prediction by RBM opposes an African Development Bank (AfDB) study that noted a decrease in the manufacturing share in an overall GDP, from 9.5 in 2015 to 9.1 in December, as this year is expected to lower to 9%.