Trade and Resources of Malawi

Trade and Resources of Malawi

Sarah Smith

Malawi faces the challenge of providing resources for a large population on a relatively small piece of land. This often results in scarcity. Unlike some other African countries, Malawi has few mineral resources. Occasionally rare stones such as amethysts, rubies and sapphires are uncovered, but the most common mineral is limestone. Most of Malawi’s mined limestone is traded with South Africa and used to make cement. [1]

While Malawi does have forests, most of this land is under a federal reserve. The Malawians rely predominately on wood for light and cooking. Many of the original forests have been stripped away in the people’s quest for wood. Lake Malawi provides the country with the water necessary to create hydroelectric power. Unfortunately, due to inefficiencies most residents do not have access to the hydro-electric power, so the forests continue to be stripped. [2]

Besides hydroelectric power, Lake Malawi also creates a fishing ground. Many village people draw their daily food from the waters of this lake. The lake also supports small business ventures such as tourist boat rides and exotic fish breeding. [3]

The staple food of Malawi, posho, which is made from ground maize, provides subsistence for Malawians, but Malawi’s top cash crop is tobacco. Sugar, tea and cotton are also exported, mainly to South Africa. [4]

In the early days of African colonization early Arab and Portuguese explorers would dock in Zanzibar and trade for ivory and slaves. The Yao tribe of Malawi became the dominant leaders of seeking out slaves and selling them to the British. [5]

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[1] https://mmramberger.wordpress.com/2015/02/06/the-natural-resources-and-trade-of-malawi/

[2] https://mmramberger.wordpress.com/2015/02/06/the-natural-resources-and-trade-of-malawi/

[3] https://mmramberger.wordpress.com/2015/02/06/the-natural-resources-and-trade-of-malawi/

[4] https://mmramberger.wordpress.com/2015/02/06/the-natural-resources-and-trade-of-malawi/

[5] https://www.biblegateway.com/audio/dramatized/niv/Phil.1

[6] https://mininginmalawi.com/2015/03/19/publication-malawian-voices-malawis-natural-resources-extractive-industries-listening-exercise/

[7] http://missionmalawinews.com/about-malawi/