Deputy Minister Thoko Tembo Launches $2.8 Million Digital Trade System to Boost Malawi’s Agricultural Exports

Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development Thoko Tembo on Wednesday launched Malawi’s new $2.8 million Sanitary and Phytosanitary Information Management System (SPSIS) in Lilongwe, describing it as a major step toward modernizing agricultural trade, improving food safety, and reducing delays in cross-border clearance of plant and animal products.

The digital platform is expected to transform the processing of phytosanitary certificates, import and export permits, and other trade documentation previously handled manually by the Department of Agricultural Research Services and the Department of Animal Health and Livestock Development.

Speaking during the launch, Tembo said agriculture remains the backbone of Malawi’s economy and that improving trade systems is critical to driving national growth and competitiveness.

“Agriculture contributes about 90 percent of Malawi’s export earnings and 25 percent of GDP,” said Tembo. “Faster, more secure and efficient trade systems are essential if Malawi is to strengthen its economy and expand access to regional and international markets.”

Funded by the World Bank under the Southern African Trade and Connectivity Project and developed by Mauritius Network Services, the SPSIS platform allows traders to apply for certificates and permits online from anywhere in the country. The system also integrates electronic payments, reduces the risk of document forgery, and provides real-time trade data to support government planning and decision-making.

Project Manager Hastings Ngoma said the broader Southern African Trade and Connectivity Project was established to improve regional and cross-border trade by strengthening trade facilitation systems and institutional efficiency.

Ngoma said one of the project’s major priorities is supporting the Malawi Bureau of Standards (MBS) with a modern Standards Information Management System backed by upgraded technical infrastructure.

“This system will enable MBS to deliver faster, more reliable and more transparent services to the trading community,” he said.

He observed that although MBS plays a critical role in safeguarding quality, safety, and reliability standards, many of its key operations — including import and export certification as well as laboratory management — have remained heavily paper-based for years.

According to Ngoma, importers and exporters have often been forced to travel physically to MBS offices, submit multiple copies of documents, and endure duplicated processing procedures that slowed down trade.

“Tracking sample submissions and linking laboratory results to consignments has been challenging, leading to delays in decision-making and border clearance,” Ngoma explained. “These inefficiencies increase costs and time for traders and ultimately undermine Malawi’s participation in regional trade.”

He said the launch of the new management information system marks a turning point in the country’s efforts to digitize trade services and improve operational efficiency.

“Today, we are changing that narrative,” said Ngoma. “The new MBS Management Information System will digitize and automate key processes, strengthen data management, improve efficiency, and enhance service delivery for the business community.”