The Malawi Confederation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (MCCCI), in collaboration with TradeMark Africa (TMA), has today launched the Single Digital Platform (SDP), a digital solution that automates MCCCI’s trade facilitation and membership management processes to enhance service delivery for businesses. The launch was officiated by Malawi’s Minister of Trade and Industry, Hon. Eng. Vitumbiko Mumba, who underscored the government’s commitment to modernizing trade facilitation and fostering private sector growth, and the role of the SDP in improving the ease of doing business. Developed with support from the UK Government, the SDP will streamline trade-related applications, reduce administrative burdens and costs, and boost market linkages for exporters, importers, including trade facilitation agents, making doing business between Malawi and the outside world more competitive.
One of the major wins for the Single Digital Platform (SDP) is that it now eliminates the need for traders to visit MCCCI offices in person as the submissions, payments and acquisition of the trade-related documentation can be done on one’s smartphone or computer. Main features include the automated application and issuance of Certificates of Origin (CoO), digital identity verification, tax compliance checks, and access to e-commerce opportunities.
“Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of our economy, yet many struggle to compete due to bureaucratic hurdles and limited market access. This platform will empower SMEs and entrepreneurs by providing a seamless and accessible digital platform that eases their administrative costs and connects them to local and international markets. Furthermore, the youth — who form most of our population — are at the heart of digital innovation. This platform provides an opportunity for young entrepreneurs to leverage technology, improve their businesses, and contribute to the growth of Malawi’s digital economy,” Minister Mumba said.
Prior to the development of the SDP, businesses bore indirect costs of trade certificate processing, driven by manual applications and time-consuming processes. MCCCI President Dr. Wisely Phiri, noted that the SDP is expected to reduce CoO processing times and cut associated indirect costs. The system will also be integrated with the National Registration Bureau (NRB) and the Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA), enhancing the overall customer experience.
“This platform empowers businesses of all sizes, from startups to established enterprises, with easy access to vital information and resources,” said Dr. Phiri said, adding; “The SDP is about more than just reducing costs and processing times for trade documents such as Certificates of Origin—it is about empowering Malawian businesses to thrive in the local, regional and international markets. We are pleased to have partnered with TradeMark Africa and UK Government to develop this platform, which not only enhances service efficiency and delivery but also aligns with global digital trade standards.”
Apart from serving as a trusted trade documentation platform, the digital platform also features advanced functionalities such as traceability, virtual exhibitions, enhanced client services, event management and provides a one-stop marketplace for interactions between businesses and potential clients. With the online marketplace,sellers can reach a broader audience, expand their market reach, and tap into new customer segments, while buyers benefit from a diverse selection of products and services, competitive pricing, and the convenience of comparing options with just a few clicks.
Trade Mark Africa’s Director for the Southern Africa Region, Jovin Mwemezi, hailed the rollout of the new system as a timely intervention Malawi’s trade and business environment. “This is an important milestone in our trade facilitation efforts, particularly through the partnership with the Malawi Confederation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry. Manual processes can be costly and time consuming, undermining the competitiveness and profitability of businesses, especially small enterprises, which provide a source of income and livelihoods to a large section of the country’s population. Previously, businesses could spend up to 30 hours and incur substantial costs just to obtain essential trade certificates, understandably, due to manual, costly processes that are prone to errors. This will no longer be the case,” Mwemezi said.
The Malawi Deputy British High Commissioner and Development Director, Ms. Olympia Wereko Brobby said: “This portal will not only improve efficiency but also provide a level of transparency and security that is essential in today’s fast-paced business environment. The UK is proud to support the development of the portal through the Malawi Trade and Investment Programme which aims to reduce the time and cost of trade and promote exports for economic growth. The portal marks a significant milestone in improving processing times for trade-related documents and reducing delays in exports which are key for growing Malawi’s economy.”
