Brigg MacAdam’s Swenson on why investors should look at Malawi for opportunities

Malawi is emerging as a potential hotspot for investors looking for opportunities in Africa. In a recent interview on CNBC Africa, Greg Swenson, Founding Partner at Brigg MacAdam, discussed the investment landscape in Malawi and highlighted the factors driving growth in the country. Swenson pointed out that the government of Malawi has put in place ambitious social and economic development plans aimed at creating jobs, generating wealth, and ensuring food security for the citizens. President Shakwero's focus on economic reforms, particularly in the agriculture and housing sectors, has attracted optimism and interest from private sector partners. Swenson emphasized the importance of commercial farming and exports in driving economic uplift, signaling promising opportunities for foreign direct investment. Additionally, Swenson identified critical infrastructure sectors such as transportation, mining, and telecom as key areas for investment, with a particular focus on expanding internet access to enhance education and healthcare in the country. The demographic dividend in Malawi, with a young population and prospects for urbanization, further adds to the appeal for foreign investors. Despite the promising growth trajectory, Swenson acknowledged the challenges of investing in a country with a low GDP per capita and emphasized the need for patient capital to realize returns, especially in long-term projects. While expressing confidence in Malawi's growth potential, Swenson also shared insights on the impact of recent events in South Africa, highlighting concerns over investor confidence following the unrest and infrastructure damage in the country. Swenson emphasized the importance of critical infrastructure investments in South Africa to address unemployment and drive economic recovery. Overall, Swenson's outlook on both Malawi and South Africa underscores the opportunities and challenges for investors looking to tap into the African markets.