By Thomas Chilaya
The Malawi Bureau of Standards and the InstitutoNacional de Normalização e Qualidade (INNOQ) of Mozambique have partnered to enhance trade and quality.
MBS Director General Bernard Thole said the collaboration holds potential for improved monitoring and certification of goods traded between the two countries.
“From this partnership, we aim to develop a mutual recognition arrangement so that certification marks and testing results are accepted in both Malawi and Mozambique. This mutual trust will allow us to reduce costs and improve efficiency,” Thole said.
He explained that by conducting a comprehensive gap analysis, both countries will identify areas for improvement to ensure alignment of their standards.
Thole stressed the need for quality consistency, particularly in laboratory calibration and metrology, which will strengthen the standardization capacity of both Malawi and Mozambique.
The collaboration, part of the World Bank-funded Southern Africa Trade and Connectivity Project (SATCP), aims to streamline standards and certification processes for countries along the Nacala and Beira trade corridors.
The project seeks to facilitate trade, foster economic growth, and create new opportunities for local communities.
MBS hosted a delegation from INNOQ in Blantyre, where they visited Malawi to gain insight into MBS’s metrology infrastructure and operations.
INNOQ Director of Metrology David Magaya said the visit provided critical insights into Malawi’s metrology labs and testing facilities, allowing the countries to harmonize metrology documentation, conformity assessments, and regulatory standards.
“This will facilitate trade between the two countries… Once a product is assessed in Malawi, it would not need reassessment in Mozambique,” Magaya said.
He noted that the visit aimed to enhance knowledge-sharing and strengthen ties between the two organisations, emphasising the project’s potential to streamline trade by removing repetitive procedures.
The SATCP project seeks to eliminate trade barriers, making import and export processes more efficient by reducing redundancy.
Madalo Nyambose, Principal Secretary for Administration in Malawi’s Ministry of Transport and Public Works, highlighted her ministry’s role in supporting trade through improved infrastructure.
“Through SATCP, we are reducing barriers to trade and strengthening regional value chains, promoting regional integration,” she said.
Nyambose added that standardizing processes will enhance consumer safety by ensuring quality and safe products in both markets.
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