President Peter Mutharika has announced a ban on the export of raw minerals from Malawi, saying the country must start processing its own resources to grow the economy and create jobs.
Speaking at Sanjika Palace in Blantyre during the swearing-in of two new ministers and the second vice president, Mutharika said the move aims to make Malawi benefit more from its natural wealth rather than letting foreigners profit from it.
“I don’t want any minerals exported from this country in raw form,” Mutharika said. “I am issuing a decree today — nobody at the airport should allow the exportation of raw materials. If they do, I will arrest them.”
The President said minerals such as graphite and rutile could generate over 500 million US dollars every year for the next 100 years if the country focuses on value addition. He said this income could help establish a sovereign wealth fund that would support national development for many
