Highlighting Africa as one of the world’s most promising untapped trade frontiers, Honorary Consul of Malawi in Karachi Abdullah Zaki today urged the Pakistani business community to shift its focus beyond traditional export destinations and capitalize on the immense commercial opportunities available in Malawi and the wider African region.
“Products costing merely 25 cents in Pakistan are being sold in Malawi for as much as 95 cents, demonstrating the extraordinary profit margins available through direct exports,” he said, while stressing that Pakistan must bypass intermediary markets and establish direct commercial linkages with African countries.
Abdullah Zaki was addressing a meeting held at the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), which was attended by Chairman Businessmen Group (BMG) Zubair Motiwala, Vice Chairman BMG Jawed Bilwani, President KCCI Rehan Hanif, Senior Vice President Muhammad Raza, Chairman of the Diplomatic Missions and Embassies Liaison Subcommittee Ahsan Arshad Sheikh, former presidents Saeed Shafiq, Shamim Ahmed Firpo, Muffassar Atta Malik, Iftikhar Ahmed Sheikh and Muhammad Idrees, Executive Committee members, former presidents, and a large number of representatives from the business community.
Abdullah Zaki stated that although many Pakistani exporters traditionally target Europe, North America, and other established markets, Africa-particularly Malawi-offers significantly higher profitability and enormous untapped potential. He noted that a substantial volume of goods currently reaching Malawi through Dubai actually originates from Pakistan and other South Asian countries. “Instead of allowing third countries to capture the value addition, Pakistan should establish direct export channels to Malawi and the wider African region,” he emphasized.
Sharing encouraging developments since assuming the responsibilities of Honorary Consul, Abdullah Zaki informed participants that exports of several Pakistani products, including bangles and jute products, had already commenced to Malawi. He further revealed that Pakistan’s exports to Malawi had recorded an encouraging 7 percent growth over the past two years, reflecting the growing acceptance of Pakistani products in the African market.
Encouraging the business community to actively explore new trade avenues, he assured participants that his Consulate remained fully available to facilitate Pakistani exporters by providing market information, trade guidance, and business connectivity. “My office is always open to any businessman seeking information or assistance regarding Malawi. We are just one phone call away and fully committed to strengthening bilateral trade relations,” he remarked.
Highlighting Pakistan’s positive image in Malawi, Abdullah Zaki said the Pakistani business community, particularly the Memon community, had earned immense respect through its successful entrepreneurial activities. He added that a strong Pakistani presence had significantly contributed to strengthening economic ties between the two countries.
Speaking on the occasion, Chairman BMG Zubair Motiwala observed that despite the immense potential for bilateral trade, Pakistan’s total trade volume with Malawi stands at only around US$11.8 million, which remains far below its true potential. He emphasized that Malawi, despite being a landlocked country, serves as an important gateway to Southern Africa and presents substantial opportunities for Pakistani exporters.
Motiwala pointed out that Malawi’s economy is heavily dependent on imports, making it an ideal destination for a wide range of Pakistani products. He stressed that instead of concentrating solely on conventional markets, Pakistan must formulate a focused strategy to penetrate emerging African economies by carefully identifying products currently being imported by Malawi from other countries and replacing those suppliers with competitive Pakistani exports.
He highlighted agriculture, engineering goods, textiles, pharmaceuticals, fertilizers, two-wheelers, automobiles, food products, and various manufactured items as sectors in which Pakistan enjoys considerable export potential. Referring to Malawi’s emerging mining sector, he said the country possesses mineral resources worth nearly US$30 billion, offering enormous investment opportunities that could transform its economy.
Motiwala stressed that meaningful trade expansion requires detailed research, sector-specific engagement, and market intelligence rather than ceremonial meetings alone. He urged the Honorary Consul to prepare a comprehensive import map of Malawi so that Pakistani manufacturers and exporters could be directly connected with the country’s import requirements.
He further observed that Pakistan must learn from successful export-oriented economies by exploring non-traditional destinations and leveraging its competitive advantages despite domestic challenges. He assured the Karachi Chamber of its complete support in promoting stronger commercial relations between Pakistan and Malawi while congratulating the Government and the people of Malawi on their National Day.
Vice Chairman BMG Jawed Bilwani expressed confidence that, under Abdullah Zaki’s leadership, bilateral trade between Pakistan and Malawi would witness substantial progress in the coming months. He assured the Honorary Consul of the Karachi Chamber’s full cooperation and support, stating that the entire KCCI leadership and business community stood ready to assist every initiative aimed at enhancing trade, investment, and economic collaboration between the two countries.
Earlier, President KCCI Rehan Hanif, while describing Malawi as the “Warm Heart of Africa,” observed that Africa remains one of the least explored yet most promising regions for Pakistani exporters. He stated that while Europe and North America have become highly competitive markets, African countries continue to offer substantial untapped business opportunities with comparatively better profit margins.
He pointed out that Malawi’s strategic location, surrounded by Zambia, Tanzania, and Mozambique, makes it an important regional trade hub despite being a landlocked country. He identified agriculture, textiles, pharmaceuticals, and food products as sectors in which Pakistan can significantly expand its exports to Malawi.
Hanif further noted that many products currently imported into Malawi through the UAE are originally sourced from Pakistan and other countries, demonstrating that direct trade channels can substantially increase Pakistan’s export earnings. He proposed organizing a high-level trade delegation to Malawi, coupled with visits to neighbouring African countries, to enable Pakistani businesses to explore regional commercial opportunities more effectively.
Reaffirming KCCI’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations, he assured the Honorary Consulate of Malawi of the Chamber’s full cooperation in promoting trade, facilitating business interactions, and building long-term economic partnerships between Pakistan and Malawi.