Obstacles that were hindering businesses in 2018 have been summed up by the Malawi Confederation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (MCCCI), through a survey called Malawi Business Climate survey.

Among the most hindering obstacles were utilities/electricity (or lack thereof), scoring 8.4 out of 10, topped by the cost of finance which was at 8.8

Corruption and lack of water scored an average of 7, while crime registered a discouraging 8. These indicators are fundamental to the business climate of Malawi, hence if not acted upon by responsible authorities, businesses will underperform. In 2018, World Bank annual ratings on ‘Ease of Doing Business’ registered 190 economies, of which Malawi ranked 111, from 110 in 2017. Evidently the business climate is not friendly and needs an urgent overhaul.

However, there is hope for the country’s economy since obliteration of the obstacles is a goal for Government, in order to boost morale in the upcoming elections. The recent Parliament appeal to cap interest rates shows light at the end of the tunnel.