The Ministry of Industry is currently engaging financial institutions on how best to provide affordable capital for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

SMEs are currently struggling with access to affordable capital because commercial banks lending rates are high and with strict conditions. Last year, during the SMEs Expo, the sector  expressed worry over lack of support from government and individuals towards the growth of their enterprises. “Though the Buy Malawi Strategy promotes consumption of local products, both the government and individual Malawians prefer imported goods.” said one of the small scale traders. Moving towards aiding the grievances, the Minister of Industry Roy Kachale said the government would like to industrialise the country but access to finance for SMEs will be key.

On the other hand, the National Small and Medium Enterprises (Nasme) proposed a K5 billion bail-out package for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) as a cushion against the impacts of the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.