In addition to regional and bilateral agreements, Malawi’s trade with certain countries is governed by multilateral rules under the World Trade Organization (WTO) and other regional arrangements. Under these frameworks, trade is conducted on the basis of agreed principles such as Most-Favoured-Nation (MFN) treatment and applicable regional commitments.
1. World Trade Organization (WTO)
Malawi is a member of the WTO, which provides the global legal framework governing international trade in goods and services.
Key elements include:
- Most-Favoured-Nation (MFN) principle – Equal treatment of trading partners unless a preferential agreement applies.
- National Treatment principle – Imported goods must be treated no less favourably than domestic goods once cleared.
- Binding tariff commitments.
- Disciplines on subsidies, safeguards, anti-dumping, and dispute settlement.
In the absence of a preferential agreement, trade is conducted under WTO MFN terms.