By Innocent Manda

Lilongwe, June 26, Mana: The World Bank says Malawi could create more than 100,000 jobs, expand exports and attract greater private investment if the country implements targeted reforms to improve the business environment.

The projection is contained in the Country Private Sector Diagnostic (CPSD) report released on June 17, 2026, which identifies commercial mining, nature-based tourism and mango production as sectors with the greatest potential to stimulate economic growth and generate employment.

World Bank Group Division Director for Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe, Firas Raad, said the three sectors present commercially viable opportunities capable of attracting increased investment and creating jobs in the short to medium term.

“The three subsectors of the economy analysed in this report represent commercially viable opportunities to attract increased investment and create jobs in Malawi in the short to medium term,” Raad said.

He, however, noted that sustaining investment and unlocking broader economic gains will require complementary reforms and stronger institutional capacity.

Raad said improving the regulatory environment, investing in infrastructure and strengthening collaboration between the public and private sectors will be critical to creating a more competitive investment climate.

“Ultimately, further increases in investment and economic gains will require complementary reforms and capacity building over the coming years,” he said.

International Finance Corporation (IFC) Division Director for Eastern Africa, Mary Porter Peschka, said Malawi has the natural resources, entrepreneurial drive and ambition needed to attract substantially higher levels of private investment.

“Malawi has the assets, the entrepreneurial energy, and the ambition to attract significantly greater private investment. The country stands at an inflection point where targeted reforms can unlock new industries, create jobs and expand exports,” Peschka said.

She said the recommended reforms have the potential to unlock new economic opportunities, strengthen the private sector and promote inclusive growth.

Government is already implementing reforms in the mining, tourism, agriculture and export sectors as part of broader efforts to stimulate economic growth, attract investment and expand employment opportunities.