Officials from Irish embassies across Africa have urged countries, including Malawi, to domesticate various trade protocols, emphasizing their importance in boosting intra-African trade.

Speaking after a tour of the laboratory and factory facilities of the National Smallholder Farmers Association of Malawi (NASFAM) in Lilongwe on Friday, Dumisile Msimanga, a programme manager at the Irish Embassy in Pretoria and currently based in Zimbabwe—said Africa possesses sufficient market potential to drive economic growth if trade systems are properly developed.

Msimanga noted, however, that trade monopolies have created barriers within the continent. She called for stronger collaboration among African nations to address technical challenges embedded in trade agreements, particularly those under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

NASFAM Chief Executive Officer Dr. Betty Chinyamunyamu praised the Malawian government for creating a favorable policy environment that has enabled the organization to access international markets. She, however, highlighted ongoing challenges their off-takers face in acquiring import permits in other countries.

Chinyamunyamu disclosed that NASFAM currently exports 25 percent of its produce, a move aimed at generating foreign exchange to import essential packaging materials and equipment.