Context With 85% of Malawi’s population dependent on agriculture for their livelihoods and agricultural products accounting for 80% of total exports, food quality and safety are critical to the country’s economic growth and well-being. However, exporters from Malawi are at present disadvantaged by the lack of internationally accredited testing facilities for certification of products for exports since certificates from the Malawi Bureau of Standards (MBS) are only accepted in the region and exporters incur high costs and time delays to obtain certification overseas. The limited quality infrastructure and the absence of an internationally recognized accreditation body significantly reduce access to global markets for agro-industrial products from Malawi.

Why the SQAM Project This project is meant to enhance the ability to export goods from Malawi by reducing the need for re-testing, re-inspection and re-certification abroad through acceptance of measurements, tests, conformity assessment results issued in Malawi. The purpose of the project is to contribute to a more adequate, effective and sustainable National Quality Infrastructure in Malawi in accordance with international and regional principles and practices by supporting the improvement of the performance of MBS.

Impact and results The project intends to achieve international recognized accreditation of the conformity assessment services offered by MBS, thus contributing to an efficient and adequate National Quality Infrastructure. This will have direct benefits for Malawian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and indirect, long term benefits for Malawian citizens in terms of improved protection of consumer rights.

Achievements

• Development and distribution of the National Quality Policy and National Quality Strategy

• Out-of-Country Trainings on food safety, microbiology and pesticides at internationally recognized institutions for the Testing Services Department (TSD) at MBS

Malawi’s National Quality Infrastructure forges ahead

MALAWI

• Trainings provided by a pool of international experts on international accreditation requirements, principles of metrology, quality management systems and food safety management to ensure the technical competency of MBS laboratory staff

• 45% progress in construction works for the new MBS Laboratory Complex

• Procurement and installation of several high technology and modern equipment for MBS laboratories

Benefits for MalawiIncrease in Exports; import Substitution; increase in National Revenues; improved Protection of Consumer Rights and Consumer Safety; improved Technical Capacity; strengthening small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

At a glance

Project title: Development of a robust standardization, quality assurance, accreditation and metrology (SQAM) infrastructure in Malawi

Donor: European Union, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Government of Malawi

Implementing agency: UNIDO

Budget: SQAM: US$ 12,710,911.00 (of which UNDP US$ 854,049, EU US$ 4,656,862, Government of Malawi US$ 7,200,000)

Country coverage: Malawi

Thematic areas: National quality policy, certification, metrology, laboratory accreditation, quality, standardization