Malawi has signed a landmark $50 million agreement with Chinese agri-tech firm, Huaihua Yongcheng Agricultural Technology Development Co., Ltd., marking a major step toward agricultural modernisation and economic transformation.
The deal was formalised during the 4th China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo (CAETE), positioning Malawi among just seven African nations selected for strategic agricultural partnerships out of 54 participating countries.
The agreement, brokered by the Malawi Investment and Trade Centre (MITC), paves the way for the development of the China-Malawi Agricultural Industrial Park in Salima District.
Spanning 5,000 hectares, the project will be designated a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and its key features and expected impact include:
Modern agricultural technologies, employment, entrepreneurship and Agro-Value Chain Enhancement.
A central feature of the agreement is the Malawian government’s 30% equity stake, held via a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), which ensures national ownership and inclusive, long-term economic benefits and assures Malawians will reap lasting benefits from the project.
The industrial park will house integrated farming and processing zones, modern logistics and distribution centres, technical training facilities and a One-Stop Service Centre to support streamlined investor operations.
MITC Director General, Kruger Phiri, says the agricultural agreement represents a quantum leap for Malawi’s agricultural sector.
“By combining Chinese agri-tech expertise with Malawi’s fertile land and entrepreneurial spirit, we’re not just building an industrial park—we’re laying the foundation for a food-secure, industrialised future,” said Phiri.
