How to Invest in Malawi

All investors are required to obtain an Investment Certificate from the Malawi Investment and Trade Centre before they establish their business in Malawi. From there, they can apply for a Business Residence Permit and then a local bank account. The following slides will outline each step of the process below:

  • Obtain an Investment Certificate
  • Obtain a Business Residence Permit (BRP)
  • Temporary Employment Permit (TEP) for all key and time posts
  • Can proceed to open a bank account with a Malawian commercial bank

Investment Certificate

  • These are obtained from the Malawi Investment and Trade Center (MITC).
  • The minimum investment capital required is US$50,000.
  • To obtain this certificate the following should be submitted to the MITC

Detailed Business Proposal /Plan

Certificate of incorporation

Investment Application Form

Copy of memorandum of association

Copy of passport

Project Brief (3-5 Paged Summary of Project Which will be sent to the Environmental Affairs Department to determine whether project requires Environmental Impact Assessment Study)

Business Residence Permit (BRP)

  • Once an investor obtains an investment certificate, one is required to get a Business Resident Permit that allows him/her to be based in the country to carry out his/her operations.
  • The application is submitted to MITC and then it is forwarded with a covering letter to Department of Immigration for consideration.
  • The following documents should be submitted in duplicates for the application:

Completed Immigration application forms

Police Clearance report from the last country of residence

A full business proposal

Two passport size photos

Temporary Residence Permit (TRP)

  • For all key and time posts there is need to obtain Temporary Employment Permits.
  • The key post permits are valid for 2 years and renewable whilst time post can be renewed up to three times.
  • The applications are then submitted to MITC then forwarded to Department of Immigration with a recommendation for approval.
  • The following documents must be submitted in duplicates to MITC:

Completed Immigration Application Forms

Two passport size photos

The organization chart of the company

Two copies of the applicant's Curriculum Vitae

Certified copies of academic certificates