Malawi

The country is responsible for 10% of global tea production and the tea industry is Malawi’s largest formal employer.

Malawi’s formal tea sector employs more than 50,000 workers and provides livelihoods to over 17,000 smallholder farmers.

Private estates occupy most of the arable land in the country. More than 45 million kilograms of tea are produced annually, with smallholder farmers producing just 10% of that amount. 80% of tea produced in Malawi is exported.

ETP’s Malawi Country Plan aims to establish ETP as a collaborative partner in addressing climate impacts and gender inequality, enhancing the economic resilience of farmers, and influencing positive policy changes for tea.

Facts & figures

Economics

Nearly 80% of Malawi’s population relies on rain-fed smallholder agriculture for their livelihoods.

Equality

Nearly 20% fewer women are employed in the formal economy than men.

Environment

Over the last 50 years, Malawi experienced seven droughts and more than 19 major flooding events.

Regional priorities

Projects
ETP’s projects address gender-based violence, enable transformative leadership for women, and explore alternative income generation streams.

Private sector change
ETP is scoping interest in piloting a responsible contracting model including clauses to address human rights due diligence.

Policy
In 2024, ETP will complete a legislative and policy review and action plan to guide ETP’s policy worki.

Malawi Country Plan Executive Summary

Our initiatives in Malawi

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2022-Ongoing | Status: On-track

Payment for Ecosystem Services

Malawi |