The Malawi Stock Exchange (MSE) has started on a low in the first two months of 2020, registering a decline in traded volumes at 34 million compared to 212 million during the same period last year representing an 83.9% drop.

The above has been coupled with a lowered return on index, recorded at 3.60%. MSE Chief Operations Officer, Kelline Kanyangala, attributed the trend to seasonal factors. “For the first few months of the year the market performance is slow, basically if you look at trends of households in Malawi you find that for most people need financing for farming, rents, school fees and such other obligations.” she said.

Meanwhile, Malawi is preparing for a fresh presidential vote, a situation which negatively affects businesses in Malawi, as seen last year.