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27 Business Ideas in Malawi (2023)

27 Business Ideas in Malawi (2023)

27 May 2017 87 Comments

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Small business ideas in Malawi that are profitable and demands small capital to start are many. If you are pondering on `What small business to start in Malawi`, read up to the end. You are likely to find a good business idea that resonates with your passion, skills or simply be inspired to think of other profitable ideas.

Sometimes people do small businesses in Malawi as side hustles to make money aside from their regular job. While others do business as full time entrepreneurs. Regardless which path you take, at the beginning it common that we are not sure what business to start. In such moments its when we browse the internet to find out what business ideas to start in Malawi. As such this blog post will suggest 20 profitable business ideas that you can start with small capital.

business ideas in malawi

According to (MSME survey 2012) Malawi has 760 000 small business owners which generate annual revenue of about USD$2billion. This shows that Malawian SMEs make a good contribution to the economy. It is not surprising that others conclude that SMEs makes the backbone of our economy.

Identification of Business Ideas

First and foremost, let’s look at the general idea of starting a business. We have to understand that a successful business answers a specific need in the community. It is the nurture of business people to offer solutions to markert problems. Therefore, to find the best business idea to start in Malawi one has to find a need or a problem. If the problem identified is big, it affects many people, there is a possibility that such a problem may turned into a good business opportunity.

However, identifying business need does not always mean you have to invert a new product. At times it is simply a process of modifying the already existing business products or services to meet a specific gap. Sometimes all you do is finding a niche markert within an existing bigger markert.

Business is about the provision of products or services which customers are willing to pay. Therefore, main sources of business opportunities in Malawi are the problems that exist among the people.

What small business to start in Malawi?

After identifying the need the other factor is to source capital for your business. As a business owner, you can use your own capital or find capital from external sources.  

Using your own capital to start a small business in Malawi gives the business owner more freedom. The other advantage of using own capital is the assurance that the capital is permanent. Unlike using external capital, that can be withdrawn anytime.

Having more control over your small business is good for small business owners. At present only 13% of small business owners in Malawi use financial services offered by commercial banks (MSME survey, 2012). It is very difficult to find funding for new businesses from banks in Malawi.   

When starting a small business in Malawi you also have to choose the right place for the business. The importance of choosing the right place for your small business in Malawi cannot be overemphasised.

20 Small business ideas to start in Malawi

Malawi is ranked on position 160 out of 190 countries on ease of starting a business ( World Bank, 2016). As you can see, this means starting a business in Malawi is relatively difficult. It requires hard work and more effort to succeed. Now let’s have the list of small businesses to start in Malawi. The listing is in no particular order.

  1. Agriculture

Malawi is known for its fertile land and diverse agricultural industry. You could consider starting a business that involves farming, such as growing fruits and vegetables or raising livestock.

2. Cleaning services

Demand for cleaning services is on the rise, especially in cities. Starting a company which will offer cleaning services is a lucrative business.

Creativity and uniqueness in service delivery can help you to stand out of the competition.

Most residential places have no proper waste disposal area. These are potential customers who would be willing to pay monthly to someone doing the job for them.

Companies and shop owners also tend to outsource cleaning services.

3. Freelancing

Freelancing is another is a good business idea for people who choose to earn a leaving on their talents. The idea with freelancing is o specialize in one thing you are the best art. For instance, if you are a skilled writer you can make money selling your writings to newspapers, magazines, and websites.

4. Part-time teaching

If you take teaching as a business you are likely to make money. Most parents are willing to pay for someone who would like to help their students to pass exams. Adults who are doing upgrading courses pay well for part-time teachers.

So if you have specialized knowledge for instance in accounts, marketing, physics, mathematics and computer you can earn good money.

5. Soap and detergent making

Making soap is simple like baking bread. Demand for soap is always going to be high. Simply put people cannot do without soap. People need soap for washing, bathing and cleaning other objects.

They key with this business idea is having a proper marketing strategy. Materials for soap making are also cheap. Organic soaps can be made using locally available waste plant materials.

The post How to Start Soap Making Business in Malawi has all required details on homemade soap making in making  

6. Selling Spices

Local spices have a big market. The international market demand for spices is huge. Making spices which meet international standards is likely to make huge money.

7. Web and graphic designing

Many people want to make their online presence outstanding. Such people, companies, and NGOs need people who can code websites for them. They want someone to design logo’s, calendars, flyers, posters, banners, T-shirt branding and more. This is an ever-increasing opportunity for web developers and designers in Malawi.

8. Computer and mobile phones repairing

Many people who use computers and mobile phones do not know how to repair their devices. Anyone who is skilled in hardware or software maintenance can make money by repairing gadget for customers. Flashing phones and software installation are few of the available opportunities for skilled people. Good thing about this is that demand will always be there as new models of computers and phones hit the market.

9. Salon and barbershop

Everywhere, anywhere people will look for barber shops and saloons. To stand out from the crowd to make it a habit to meet customer needs.   

10. Import goods from China

Start Importing low-cost things from other countries and selling them at a high price in Malawi. Importing goods from China is not complicated. This a good business because Malawi imports are of goods from China. As such if you are able to research for hot selling products from China you will have many customers. Items you can import include mobile phones, laptops, stationary supplies, building materials, shoes, and cosmetic products.

Read: How to start importation Business in Malawi with Small Capital

11. Education and Training

You could start a business that provides educational or training services such as tutoring, computer skills training, or vocational training.

12. Retail

You could start a small retail business that sells locally made products such as clothing, jewelry, crafts, and household items.

13. Real estate agents

Help busy people easily find houses and property to rent or buy. In this business model, you get paid by the property sellers and from the buyer.

14. Construction and Home Improvement:

You could start a business that provides construction and home improvement services such as building homes, remodeling, or providing home repair service

15. Renewable Energy:

Malawi has abundant renewable energy resources such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power. You could start a business that provides renewable energy solutions such as installing solar panels, designing and implementing renewable energy systems, or providing energy efficiency consulting.

16. Waste Management:

Malawi has a significant waste management problem, and there is a growing need for sustainable waste management solutions. You could start a business that provides waste management services such as waste collection, recycling, or composting.

17. Transportation:

You could start a taxi service, a motorcycle taxi service, or a delivery service that offers reliable and efficient transportation.

18. Wedding accessories

  • Supply wedding dresses for hire or for sale
  • wedding cakes
  • Being Master of ceremony
  • Wedding DJ
  • wedding decorations

19. Gym and Fitness Centers  

Gym centers are ideal for people who value body maintenance and fitness. As such they are willing to pay for gym equipment and services. You may also do message for a fee.

20. Sausage Making

Making and selling sausage is a good business idea to start with a small capital. This one of the many business opportunities for Malawians. Everyday people want to eat and drink. People are always willing to pay for quality food. Making or source foodstuffs like confectioneries, snacks, lunch boxes among others is an evergreen business opportunity.

21. Tourism:

You could start a business that caters to tourists, such as a tour guide service, a guesthouse, or a souvenir shop

22.Event Planning:

You could start a business that provides event planning services such as wedding planning, corporate event planning, or party planning

23. Security Services:

You could start a business that provides security services such as security guards, security systems, or surveillance services.

24. Entertainment:

You could start a business that provides entertainment services such as a cinema, a nightclub, or a music venue.

25. Art and Crafts

Malawi has a rich cultural heritage and there is a growing demand for traditional Malawian art and crafts. You could start a business that produces and sells handmade items such as pottery, woven baskets, carvings, and paintings.

26. Mobile Money Services

With the increasing use of mobile phones, you could start a business that provides mobile money services such as mobile banking, mobile payments, or mobile money transfer.

27. Green Business:

You could start a business that focuses on sustainability such as eco-friendly products, recycling, or sustainable farming.

Lastly, notice that these are just a few small business ideas that you could consider starting in Malawi. It’s important to do your research and identify a need in the market that you can fill with your skills and resources. With determination, creativity, and hard work, you can build a successful small business in Malawi.

87 Comments

  1. Bannet chinsinga

    How you can get documents for cement business

    • Chimwemwe Nuka

      Hello Bannet

      If you want to start as a cement distributor the n you have to talk to the company whose products you want to distribute. As long as you meet their minimum requirements and you’re located on a good business place.

      Thanks for visting

    • Carolyn

      Hie ,I’m a south African woman but married to a Malawian man and I’m interested in opening a restaurant in monkey bay ,please can you help me with how do I go about finding a proper space and the cost for my restaurant

  2. Zanele Machedi

    I will like to go for chicken project but I really don’t know if its gonna help, can u please advice me

    • Chimwemwe Nuka

      Hello Zanele

      Poultry farming especially selling of chickens or eggs is lucrative business. Both local and hybrid chickens quickly sell on the market. I encourage to go ahead with your idea to start chicken project.

  3. Harriet

    Very useful information, thank you. How I wish most of our unemployed youths could read this.

    • Chimwemwe Nuka

      Thank You Harriet for finding this post useful.
      I agree with you that unemployed youths can do better if they start doing business.
      The good thing is that these small scale businesses require less capital to start.

      Thanks for visting

  4. petrus

    hi nuka what about fishing. does fish make more money regard petrus

    • Chimwemwe Nuka

      Hello Petrus
      Fishing is very profitable business. In Malawi fish is the most common source of meat protein.
      The demand for fish is high both locally and on the global market. There are several ways you can make money in the fishing industry.

      Regards

  5. nganiwe ndovi

    What is the probability of small scale detailers.

  6. Epiphania Phiri

    Please help me to improve and expose my writing . How and where can I sell my stories in Malawi.

  7. Mayur Navghare

    Can I start interior designing or furniture designing and wooden furniture supply business in malawi

    • Chimwemwe Nuka

      Hello Mayur
      Yes you can start interior and furniture business.The market for this business is readily available.

  8. Sarel van der merwe

    Any good ideas for a new business in Malawi want to relocate from South Africa

    • Chimwemwe Nuka

      Hello Sarel
      Check out in the eBook 200 Business Ideas to start in Malawi. It contains 200 different business ideas that people can start in the country.

  9. Cecilia Chilendo Mwenifumbo

    hie
    would you please advice me on regumes or fruits like tomatoes etc supplying business and how i can find customers.

    • Chimwemwe Nuka

      Hello Cecilia

      Legumes and vegetables like fruits have big local markets. You can easily find markets to supply at whole sale shops or retail shops. For example in Lilongwe you can be supplying to Burundians at Mchesi who in turn supply to retailers in Lilongwe. You can supply fruits to super markets like Chipiku plus and shoprite among others.

      Regards

  10. Nick

    I have a suasuge production in Lusaka. What’s the market like in Malawi?

    • Chimwemwe Nuka

      Hello Nick
      The market for suasuge is still huge.

      Regards

  11. Nomthi

    How does a non !malawian go about starting a business in malawi….

  12. Nick

    Hello. Mr chimwemwe,
    What are the requirements of a foreign investors?

  13. Florence Bandawe

    How to get a book after paying the money?

    • Chimwemwe Nuka

      Hie Florence

      Once you pay, I will send you the ebook through email or WhatsApp.

      You can also buy it on Amazon Kindle on the link below. Then Amazon will electronically send your copy t your Kindle device.

      Thank you for asking

  14. Bertha

    Would you help me to find a document or any information that will give me the following information?
    explain meaning of local business
    to state the purpose of policy statement by Malawi Government
    Distinguish which particular sector of the economy investor

    dear,
    Am looking for a document which can give me the following information
    1.definition of local business
    2.purpose of business policy statement by Malawi government
    3.explain which particular sector of the economy investors can invest?
    4.Relate industrial licensing and company formation?
    5.explain transference of land and handling of taxes and duties
    6. Relate external transport routes and availability of foreign exchange
    7state access to local financing and labor
    practices
    8.compare encouragement of small/medium scale exports with export oriented investment
    9.Differentiate between investment assistance and promotion with investment protection
    10.Explain the access to international arbitration
    i HAVE MISPLACE A DOCUMENT WHERE I FOUND THIS INFORMATION ITS URGENT

  15. faith

    hello, what do you think about restuarant business

  16. A Docrat

    I want to have. Minibus taxi business in Malawi

  17. Charles Chimwendo

    how can I send the money ? I need that book so much

    • Chimwemwe Nuka

      Hie Charles

      You can send the money for the book though Airtel money on 0991230725 or though Mo626 account 825937

      WhatsApp 0991230725

      Thank you

  18. Rabson Mbale

    Hi my name is Rabson mbale, iwant to start my on business,pls assist me,

  19. Devie wyson

    Hello chimwemwe am Malawian, but now I am working in south Africa and my wishes is to start my own business at my country what can I do and how can I get a book?

    • Chimwemwe Nuka

      Hello Davie

      You can get the eBook through email or WhatsApp
      You can make payment through Mkulu or Airtel money
      Price is K2000
      My contact is +265991230725

      Thank you

  20. Enwood mlotha

    Is car wash business profitable in mzuzu?

  21. BENSON LENGANI

    I just want to know a better business in colleges

  22. Effort

    I need to start bricks production and delivery but my worry is on marketing .
    Is it going to be a welcome move for producing cement bricks?

  23. Edna

    Hello Chimwemwe am Malawian and I want to start selling local spices in Malawi,.. Any advise on how I can go about it and how can I get the ebook?

    • Chimwemwe Nuka

      Hello Edna
      I would advise you to do much on branding and have an intensified marketing of your branded spices.
      You may also consider having a website to showcase your products locally as well as beyond.

      You can get the ebook by contacting me directly on WhatsApp on 0991230725 or email chimwemwe@mawila.com

      Thank you visting

    • Chimwemwe Nuka

      Hello Edna
      I would advise you to do much on branding and have an intensified marketing of your branded spices.
      You may also consider having a website to showcase your products locally as well as beyond.

      You can get the ebook by contacting me directly on WhatsApp on 0991230725 or email chimwemwe@mawila.com

      Thank you visiting

  24. HUMPHREYS MZUNGU

    HELLO CHIMWEMWE I WANT TO START A BUSINESS OF WEDDING DECORATIONS WHAT SHOULD IDO

  25. George Pasi

    Hi im Zimbabwean does branding, medals, badges, trophies work in Malawi.
    I have three offies here in Zimbabwe and looking to go further in Africa.
    My website http://www.gracelandtrophies.co.zw

    • Chimwemwe Nuka

      Hello George

      Thanks for your interest to do business in Malawi.
      I don’t know enough about this kind of business.

      Regards

  26. Mike

    Hi,l u to help me .l gote k2millon Wt business l can make

  27. Freeman Modise

    Good day
    i am the director of Betchtel Corp in South Africa, i have been struggling to register a company at Malawi, kindly revert to me urgently.

  28. Precious Kantembe

    I need the book

  29. Peter

    Hello
    Thanx for this guides,and I’m really encouraged with this fruitful guide.now I am planning to start farming & graphic design

  30. Clement

    Hi
    What are the procedure for the ebook

  31. Hastings mbewe

    What do you think about bread bakery business,is it good and profitable? I need your advise

  32. Ken chitalo

    Good day Mr chinwemwe Iam also malawian but am based in south Africa I want to open shop of selling cooking. Oil n baking flour n other staff but am worried about how can I get customer

  33. peter chapendeka

    Hi
    Mr. Chimwemwe,I would like to do Irrigation system.any advise plz,since i want to do in rulal area and sell it in urban areas.

  34. chapendeka

    Hi
    Mr. Chimwemwe,I would like to do Irrigation system.any advise plz,since i want to do in rulal area and sell it in urban areas.

  35. Richard Nkhonjera

    I have read this article today (27/07/20)..Am worried I missed such a helpful article all these years

  36. Kennedy

    Hi chimwemwe,
    Hope I find you well.
    Thanks for the post really appreciate.
    I need to start internate cafe,kindly advise.
    Regards, Kennedy.

  37. Stanford Zgambo

    Thanks Mr Chimwemwe,, I find your posts very educating ,and rich ,,,I benefit a lot from that

    • Chimwemwe Nuka

      I appreciate Mr Zgambo for finding some of the post on this blog educative

  38. Ivan

    This is my first time seeing this article..lam very much interested..l.will be intouch..chims the author..thanx

  39. javier

    i am impresesed with some of the ideas keep it up i am ready to take risks…

  40. Lizzie Brown

    I would like start business in Malawi, have several ideas, importing beauty products, manufacturing cooking oil, and manufacturing freezes, loli pops do you think these are good ideas
    .

    • Chimwemwe Nuka

      Hey Lizzie. Your ideas are very good and the market is available. But you have to stick at least to one idea before branching out. And before starting make sure you do a detailed market research. I think importing beauty products should be the best for to start and niche out.

  41. nicola tullie

    So interesting! Really appreciate all your info plus the article on buying land. Thank you Chimwemwe.
    (South Africa)

  42. Andrew

    hie
    aah am much interested in your book but currently I cant afford to buy ..

  43. Chawa

    You’re doing a great job Chimwemwe. I’m happy I came across this post.

  44. John chilita

    how kind of business can you start with 60 thousand

  45. ACKIM

    Hi am ACKIM from Zambia,wanted to find out what products are cheap in Malawi that I can be buying and reselling in Zambia

  46. Lawrence

    Thanks Chimzy, this is so useful.

  47. Andrew

    Hi I’m Andrew 23 years old I’m in south africa and I’m from Malawi I’m saving money here I almost have R41000 something so I don’t which business I can start when I go back to Malawi but I’m thinking of selling cloth in my own shop cloth from Tanzanian and south africa so plz help me with ur I deals

  48. Kiki

    Hi, thanks for the tips
    I would love to ope an inporting bisiness but I need a help how to go a hwad with it. Any advice?

    • Chimwemwe Nuka

      Hie Kiki

      Let me know how I may help you. Contact me through WhatsApp or email. Check contact details on the footer

  49. Richard Mkandawire

    Hi Mr C. Nuka I’m so glad to find your website. I will contact you soon as possible for more advice in Malawi business I would like to have one.
    Nawonga chomene Adada ANuka.

  50. Japhet Toto

    nice work. I want to start a hardware business but i don’t know relavant information concerning the same help

  51. Hussein Chibwana

    Hello,
    I would like to start butchery business, any advise on its requirements will highly be appreciated. We can complete our conversation through email.
    Thanks in advance.

  52. Adrian

    First blog I have visited that has the most relevant information about businesses in Malawi… Great job nuka

  53. Amina Hassan

    Hi chimwemwe good evening how are you today I like to know if for example I want to do engo in Malawi what I’m gonna do.

  54. Christone

    Very helpful I have personally benefited from this

    • Chimwemwe Nuka

      Thank you Christone. I am glad you found the content beneficial

    • Chimwemwe Nuka

      I am glad you found the article beneficial Christone

  55. Steve

    Hello Dr. Chimwemwe I’m a boy located in liwonde machinga and i want to start my own business after a while doing a business with my brother. The business is about electronic and phone accessories but i want to start with little as I have how can i grow easily my business depending on the changing of things in our country

  56. Steve

    I need a more strategy and skills about business to add for what I already have

  57. Wakie

    Hello Mr Nuka,
    I have been struggling for business ideas. But, by through cross checking for people’s comments and posts l have gained something very important and helpful.
    I will contact through what’s app to get the ebook.

  58. Bernard Spartan

    Thank you very much for your ideas

  59. Alfayo Ochieng

    what about transport business in malawi ie public tranport

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