Malawi Imposes Ban on Raw Mineral Exports to Retain National Wealth
Malawi has announced a comprehensive ban on the export of raw minerals, a bold move aimed at keeping resource wealth within the country and promoting domestic industrialisation.
President Peter Mutharika said the policy, which takes immediate effect, is designed to stimulate local processing, job creation, and economic independence. He estimated that Malawi could retain up to $500 million annually through value addition rather than raw exports.
“I will not allow the exportation of raw materials from our mines,” President Mutharika declared during a cabinet swearing-in ceremony at Sanjika Palace in Blantyre. “We must stop exporting opportunity and start building industries.”
The ban targets key mining areas, including rutile deposits in Kasiya and rare earth sites in Kangankunde. Malawi’s extensive mineral portfolio, which includes uranium, bauxite, graphite, coal, and precious gemstones, positions the country as a potential beneficiation hub in southern Africa.
President Mutharika, recently re-elected to a new term, described the decision as a “cornerstone of economic nationalism” and urged his cabinet to prioritise tangible industrial outcomes.
However, economists have warned that successful implementation will depend heavily on infrastructure development, technological investment, and strong enforcement mechanisms.
Similar policies across Africa have delivered mixed results. Zimbabwe’s 2023 lithium export ban led to an increase in smuggling across borders, while Tanzania’s 2017 restrictions on gold exports drove many miners into illegal markets.
