Evidence for Transformation
The MwAPATA Institute is an independent agricultural policy think tank in Malawi. The Institute is engaging the Government of Malawi, private sector, and civil society stakeholders in a program of applied policy analysis, policy outreach, capacity building, and policy coordination. MwAPATA was established with a grant from the Foundation for a Smoke-Free World via Michigan State University and continues with the support of various strategic partners.
MwAPATA Institute
RECENT EVENTS
NEW RESEARCH
Rapid Evidence and Policy Dialogue on Agricultural Trade Restrictions in Malawi
On 21st April 2026, the MwAPATA Institute convened a Rapid Evidence and Policy Dialogue on Agricultural Trade Restrictions in Malawi. The dialogue, held at Sunbird Capital Hotel in Lilongwe, was organised in collaboration with the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR) and supported by the Africa Network of Agricultural Policy Research Institutes (ANAPRI).
The event brought together stakeholders in trade and related issues to discuss and expand the scope and address the knowledge gaps left by the MwAPATA Institute’s recent study on the potential impacts of export mandates on Malawi’s economy and development trajectory on an “ex-ante” basis. The stakeholders shared more extensive insights required to quantify the impacts of broader trade restrictions beyond those of export mandates.
Watch the event's video here.
Stay Informed on Research Releases
Do Land Reforms Promote Equity in Land Rental Market Participation? Evidence from Malawi
Does accessing multiple social support programmes improve household resilience and food security?
Policy Lessons for Localising the Food Systems Transformation Agenda in Malawi
Malawi Public Agricultural Expenditure Review
Healthy foods cost more and differ by Region in Sub-Saharan Africa: A meta-analysis
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In the News
Experts warn Malawi’s Trade restrictions risk undermining long-term Agricultural growth
Research urges Malawi to bundle social support programmes to boost food security
MwAPATA urges urgent action on Malawi’s soil crisis
Malawi needs to enhance organic fertilizer usage
Outdated forestry fees limit Malawi’s potential
Conference calls for agri-food systems boost
Youth participation in agriculture still a pain-point for Malawi
Banana faces uncertain future, study shows
Land reform pace affects agriculture
On Thursday, 16th April 2026, the Mwapata Institute, in partnership with UNDP Malawi, the TRADE Program and the National Planning Commission of Malawi, with support from the European Union in Malawi, convened a high-level, multi-stakeholder roundtable event under the Uliimi ndi Chilengedwe (UCHI) Commercialisation project. The event, which was held under the theme “Turning Potential into Commercial Outcomes: Strengthening Implementation for Inclusive Agricultural Commercialisation,” took place at the Sunbird Capital Hotel in Lilongwe.
During the event, the MwAPATA Institute shared key findings and policy recommendations from deep-dive analyses of the banana, soybean, and rice value chains, with a focus on translating those findings into coordinated action for inclusive agricultural commercialisation. The roundtable event brought together government policymakers, private sector actors, financial institutions, development partners and other critical stakeholders who brainstormed and mapped pathways to the transformative implementation of evidence-based actions for Inclusive Agricultural Commercialisation.
Download the event's MwAPATA presentations below:
Commercialisation and Investment Options for Banana Value in Malawi
Presented by Mrs Joyce Minofu - MwAPATA Research Analyst
Opportunities, Issues and Options for Commercialising the Rice Value Chain in Malawi Presented by Dr Christone Nyondo - MwAPATA Research Fellow
Strategies for Building a Profitable Soybean Value Chain in Malawi
Presented by Dr Anderson Gondwe - MwAPATA Research Fellow
Recommendations and Proposed Implementation Mechanism Matrix
Presented by Dr Christone Nyondo - MwAPATA Research Fellow
Proposed Policy Implementation Support Panel for Driving Value Chain Commercialisation Presented by Dr Christone Nyondo - Research Fellow
