Blantyre, Malawi, 13 May 2026 – Malawian exporters can now test their products to international standards at home, following a handover of a major UK-funded upgrade to the Malawi Bureau of Standards (MBS). The investment delivers cutting-edge laboratory facilities and the country’s first internationally recognised accreditation.
The handover ceremony, held at MBS headquarters in Blantyre, marks a turning point in Malawi’s efforts to compete in demanding global markets. It removes a critical barrier that has long forced exporters to rely on costly laboratories abroad. The investment, delivered through TradeMark Africa (TMA), will directly benefit exporters of macadamia, mango, groundnuts, soybeans and honey, helping them meet strict requirements in UK, African and global markets.
The ceremony was presided over by Principal Secretary, Ministry of Industrialisation, Business, Trade and Tourism, Wiskes Nkombezi, in the presence of UK’s Deputy High Commissioner to Malawi Ben Nicholson, TMA Chief Executive Officer David Beer, the leadership of MBS and private sector representatives.
Standards Are Central to Malawi’s Export Ambitions
Speaking at the event, Mr Nkombezi said stronger standards and conformity assessment systems were central to Malawi’s industrialisation and export ambitions. He noted that without credible standards and testing systems, no country could compete effectively in regional and international markets.
“Malawi’s aspiration to become a competitive, export-oriented economy depends heavily on our ability to comply with international standards and sanitary and phytosanitary requirements in global markets. As the line Ministry responsible for MBS, we are extremely encouraged by these developments because they directly contribute to Government’s broader objectives of promoting exports, industrialisation, private sector growth and job creation,” he said.
He urged exporters, processors and producers “particularly in the macadamia, mango, tea, sugar, honey and other agro-processing sectors, to fully utilise these services.”
UK Backs World-Class Testing for Malawian Exporters
British Deputy High Commissioner Ben Nicholson welcomed the milestone as a demonstration of the UK’s enduring commitment to Malawi’s economic future.
“The United Kingdom is proud to have supported building a world-class testing system that puts Malawian exporters on equal footing with competitors anywhere in the world. When businesses can prove the quality and safety of their products right here in Malawi, they can trade with confidence, grow faster and create the jobs that communities depend on. In a constrained fiscal environment, the UK is now focused on catalytic investments that strengthen Malawi’s productive capacity, reduce the cost of trade, and help crowd in private sector participation to drive long-term economic growth,” the Deputy High Commissioner said.
Why Standards Matter in a Tightening Trade Environment
TMA Chief Executive Officer David Beer noted that standards and quality infrastructure are becoming increasingly important as African exporters face rising non-tariff barriers, SPS requirements and stricter compliance demands in global markets.
“Increasingly, trade competitiveness depends not only on roads, ports and borders, but also on trusted standards, laboratories and certification systems. Malawi’s progress demonstrates how practical investments in laboratories, accreditation and standards systems can sharpen their competitive edge while opening more opportunities for businesses, particularly SMEs and women- and youth-led enterprises,” he said.
What the Malawi Bureau of Standards Upgrade Delivers
Upgrades to MBS facilities included the installation of modern laboratory equipment and enhanced chemical and microbiology testing capabilities for detecting contaminants such as mycotoxins, pesticide residues and heavy metals. The wider initiative also supported the development of more than 35 crop-specific export standards. In addition, it paved the way for MBS to attain ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accreditation through the Southern African Development Community Accreditation Service.
Stronger In-Country Testing for Industry
MBS Director General Symon O. Mandala acknowledged that stronger in-country testing capacity would improve service delivery while reducing reliance on external laboratories.
“Every step that strengthens local testing capacity helps us serve industry more efficiently, support compliance more effectively and deepen confidence in results issued here in Malawi. The modernisation initiative has already enabled MBS to strengthen its laboratory systems, attain internationally recognised accreditation and widen testing and certification services for exporters in priority agricultural industries,” he said.
Priority sectors expected to benefit from the upgraded testing services include macadamia, mango, groundnuts, soybeans and honey, with a focus on meeting market requirements in the UK, global and African markets.