United Arab Emirates and Malawi
The United Arab Emirates and Malawi expanded cooperation through five memoranda in May 2025. Diplomatic training, investment, mining, digital education and a business council feature among signed instruments.
Analysis reviewed: 2026-10-08 · Indicators updated: 2026-10-08History and institutional framework
Lazarus Chakwera received Abdullah bin Zayed in Lilongwe on 7 May 2025, with Nancy Tembo.
What merchandise trade shows
In 2025, goods trade between United Arab Emirates and Malawi totalled 279.3 million current USD.
Documented trade sectors
Within the selected chapters, mineral fuels and oils stands out in shipments from United Arab Emirates to Malawi, at 112.3 million USD in 2025.
Bilateral indicators
Blank cells: data unavailable.
| Indicator | Value | Period |
|---|---|---|
| Goods trade | 279.29 M USD | 2025 · Comtrade |
| Goods: United Arab Emirates to Malawi | 261.51 M USD | 2025 · Comtrade |
| Goods: Malawi to United Arab Emirates | 17.78 M USD | 2025 · Comtrade |
| Services trade | ||
| Export share: United Arab Emirates to Malawi | ||
| Export share: Malawi to United Arab Emirates | 1.95 % | 2025 · Comtrade |
| Investment stock: United Arab Emirates in Malawi | ||
| Investment stock: Malawi in United Arab Emirates |
Definitions and sources
Trade adds both directions. Shares refer to the country’s total goods exports; investment is an accumulated stock, not an annual flow. Every figure retains the currency and period of its source. BEA positions are historical-cost estimates based on the immediate counterpart, not market values or investment by ultimate owner. ‘More than’ indicates a lower bound, not an exact amount. A recorded stock does not establish new activity or authorisation to operate under sanctions.
- Goods trade
- 2025 · UN Comtrade; reporters MDA, MDG, MDV, MKD, MLT, MNE, MOZ, MRT, MUS, MWI, MYS, NAM · Goods; full calendar year; reporter MWI. Exports normally FOB and imports CIF; no addition of mirror declarations. Both directions are identified from the same customs authority.
- Goods: United Arab Emirates to Malawi
- 2025 · UN Comtrade; reporters MDA, MDG, MDV, MKD, MLT, MNE, MOZ, MRT, MUS, MWI, MYS, NAM · Goods; full calendar year; reporter MWI. Exports normally FOB and imports CIF; no addition of mirror declarations. Both directions are identified from the same customs authority.
- Goods: Malawi to United Arab Emirates
- 2025 · UN Comtrade; reporters MDA, MDG, MDV, MKD, MLT, MNE, MOZ, MRT, MUS, MWI, MYS, NAM · Goods; full calendar year; reporter MWI. Exports normally FOB and imports CIF; no addition of mirror declarations. Both directions are identified from the same customs authority.
- Export share: Malawi to United Arab Emirates
- 2025 · UN Comtrade; reporters MDA, MDG, MDV, MKD, MLT, MNE, MOZ, MRT, MUS, MWI, MYS, NAM · Exports to the partner / worldwide exports by the same reporter; same year and coverage.
Country comparison
Period and source beside each figure · est. = estimate by the stated institution.
Some annual indicators refer to different years. Check the period beside each value before comparing them.
| Indicator | United Arab Emirates | Malawi |
|---|---|---|
| Nominal GDP | 552.32 billion USD2024 · WB | 14.92 billion USD2025 · WB |
| GDP per capita | 50,273.51 USD2024 · WB | 671.51 USD2025 · WB |
| GDP growth | 3.99 %2024 · WB | 1.89 %2025 · WB |
| Policy interest rate | ||
| Inflation · annual average | 1.25 %Annual average · 2025 · WB | 28.37 %Annual average · 2025 · WB |
| Inflation · latest year-on-year figure | ||
| Unemployment | 2.17 %ILO est.2025 · WB | 5.07 %ILO est.2025 · WB |
| Budget balance (% of GDP) | 5.2 %IMF est.2025 · IMF | -11.5 %IMF est.2025 · IMF |
| Gross public debt (% of GDP) | 34.3 %IMF est.2025 · IMF | 78.4 %IMF est.2025 · IMF |
| Current account balance (% of GDP) | 14.48 %2024 · WB | -18.79 %2024 · WB |
| Population | 10,986,4002024 · WB | 22,216,1202025 · WB |
| Area | 98,648 km²2023 · WB | 118,480 km²2023 · WB |
| Military expenditure | ||
| Military expenditure (% of GDP) |
Definitions, dates and sources
Blank cells are not zero. Average annual inflation and the latest year-on-year figure appear in separate rows: they are not the same measure. Every annual indicator retains its reference year; when the years differ, the figures are identified as not directly comparable. When a figure is unavailable from the World Bank, an annual IMF estimate is used and identified as such. The latest year-on-year figure is the latest official release verified as of 7 October 2026. This includes advance releases marked as provisional. Mexico may have a fortnightly figure before the full month is published; it is not automatically compared with a monthly figure. The publication date is retained in each source’s details; it does not replace the observation period or the annual average. Policy rates carry their own dates and represent different instruments. Spain and France share the ECB rate. Balances are positive for surpluses and negative for deficits. The IMF may use fiscal years; unemployment retains each source’s definition (ILO estimates, IMF WEO or PCBS), as stated in the details. For Palestine, debt and the fiscal balance cover central government and retain the PCBS definition; they are not presented as consolidated general government. These are economic magnitudes, not measures of relationship quality.
Area retains each source’s territorial coverage; it does not determine sovereignty or effective control. Canada uses an archived national geographic reference. Military expenditure retains the 2024 SIPRI sample distributed by the World Bank: the amount and percentage of GDP use that same definition, which differs from NATO’s. It is not an approved budget or a 2026 figure. Information from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). Military expenditure database · Terms of use0
Indicators reviewed: 2026-10-07. Each source retains its original access date; this review does not turn all the data into 2026 observations. Figures may be revised.
- Nominal GDP
- Current USDUnited Arab Emirates: 2024 · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.Malawi: 2025 · World Bank · Annual World Bank observation, with its original year; not monthly data.
- GDP per capita
- Current USD per personUnited Arab Emirates: 2024 · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.Malawi: 2025 · World Bank · Annual World Bank observation, with its original year; not monthly data.
- GDP growth
- Annual real change (%)United Arab Emirates: 2024 · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.Malawi: 2025 · World Bank · Annual World Bank observation, with its original year; not monthly data.
- Policy interest rate
- Central bank instrument (%)
- Inflation · annual average
- Average annual change in headline CPI (%)United Arab Emirates: 2025 · Annual average change in the CPI (%) · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.Malawi: 2025 · Annual average CPI change (%) · World Bank · Annual World Bank observation, with its original year; not monthly data.
- Inflation · latest year-on-year figure
- Headline CPI relative to the same period of the previous year (%); monthly or fortnightly frequency stated
- Unemployment
- % of the labour force; definition used by the stated institutionUnited Arab Emirates: 2025 · ILO modelled estimate; percentage of the labour force · World Bank · ILO est. · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.Malawi: 2025 · ILO modelled estimate; percentage of the labour force · World Bank · ILO est. · Annual World Bank observation, with its original year; not monthly data.
- Budget balance
- General government (% of GDP)United Arab Emirates: 2025 · IMF · IMF est. · WEO general-government estimate, % of GDP. Not an observed balance for the current month.Malawi: 2025 · IMF · IMF est. · WEO general-government estimate, % of GDP. Not an observed balance for the current month.
- Gross public debt
- General government (% of GDP)United Arab Emirates: 2025 · IMF · IMF est. · WEO general-government estimate, % of GDP. Not an observed balance for the current month.Malawi: 2025 · IMF · IMF est. · WEO general-government estimate, % of GDP. Not an observed balance for the current month.
- Current account balance
- % of GDPUnited Arab Emirates: 2024 · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.Malawi: 2024 · World Bank · Annual World Bank observation, with its original year; not monthly data.
- Population
- PeopleUnited Arab Emirates: 2024 · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date. Preliminary.Malawi: 2025 · World Bank · Annual World Bank observation, with its original year; not monthly data.
- Area
- Total area in km²; territorial coverage of the sourceUnited Arab Emirates: 2023 · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.Malawi: 2023 · World Bank · Annual World Bank observation, with its original year; not monthly data.
- Military expenditure
- Current USD per year; SIPRI series
- Military expenditure (% of GDP)
- Percentage of GDP; SIPRI definition, not NATO’s definition
Other data specific to this relationship
What they buy and sell
Documented selection, not an exhaustive list. Cells without a figure do not mean zero value; some products are identified without a verified amount.
United Arab Emirates to Malawi
| Product or sector | Value / share |
|---|---|
| Mineral fuels and oils | 112.3 M USD2025 · Source |
| Vehicles and components | 21.6 M USD2025 · Source |
| Machinery and mechanical appliances | 13.6 M USD2025 · Source |
| Electrical and electronic equipment | 7.8 M USD2025 · Source |
| Pharmaceutical products | 3.8 M USD2025 · Source |
| Dairy products, eggs and honey | 0.689 M USD2025 · Source |
Malawi to United Arab Emirates
How trade has changed
Millions of current USD · full calendar years
View chart figures
| Period | Total | United Arab Emirates to Malawi | Malawi to United Arab Emirates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 331.5 | 285.2 | 46.3 |
| 2022 | 249.2 | 222.2 | 27 |
| 2023 | 404.1 | 388.8 | 15.3 |
| 2024 | 306.9 | 281.4 | 25.5 |
| 2025 | 279.3 | 261.5 | 17.8 |
Connections between people
The non-resident Emirati ambassador also participated. [1]
Residents, study and travel
Blank cells: data unavailable. Each measure retains its definition and period.
| Indicator | Value | Period / source |
|---|---|---|
| Residents from United Arab Emirates living in Malawi | ||
| Residents from Malawi living in United Arab Emirates | ||
| Study and training: United Arab Emirates in Malawi | ||
| Study and training: Malawi in United Arab Emirates | ||
| Academic stays: United Arab Emirates in Malawi | ||
| Academic stays: Malawi in United Arab Emirates | ||
| Travel: United Arab Emirates to Malawi | ||
| Travel: Malawi to United Arab Emirates |
What each figure measures
Residents are counted by nationality and the coverage of the stated register, not as people born in the other country or as new arrivals in one year. PERE includes dual nationals and people born outside Spain. Study with OPT and stays carrying academic credit are different measures. Travel may include several visits by the same person; FRONTUR arrivals require an overnight stay, whereas the Canadian survey includes day visits. These figures are neither added together nor automatically compared across directions.
Mobility data added or reviewed: 2026-10-07. Reference periods may be earlier.
Underlying ties
History, institutions and long-standing issues.
History and institutional framework
Lazarus Chakwera received Abdullah bin Zayed in Lilongwe on 7 May 2025, with Nancy Tembo. They witnessed training cooperation between Anwar Gargash Academy and Malawi's foreign ministry, a general investment memorandum and a minerals memorandum. [1]
The scale of both economies
Nominal GDP for United Arab Emirates is 552.3 billion USD (2024), compared with 14.9 for Malawi (2025). The reference populations are 10.99 and 22.22 million, respectively. The comparison provides context on market size, but does not, on its own, measure influence, well-being or diplomatic closeness. Estimates and their sources retain their labels in the tables. [5] [6] [7] [8]
Recent developments
Recent developments and latest available data · Review: 2026-10-08
Cooperation and bilateral issues
The Digital School and Malawi's government agreed on digital learning collaboration. Another instrument connected the Emirati federation of chambers and the trade ministry to establish a joint business council. The non-resident Emirati ambassador also participated. These five frameworks identify entities and collaboration areas without yet demonstrating beneficiary student numbers or operational mining projects. [1]
What merchandise trade shows
In 2025, merchandise trade between the two countries (United Arab Emirates and Malawi) totalled 279.3 million current USD. Shipments from the first to the second were 261.5 million; those in the opposite direction, 17.8 million. The difference between the two flows was 243.7 million, in favour of United Arab Emirates. This is a goods balance, not the total balance of the economic relationship: it excludes services, income and transfers. Both directions come from a single customs reporter to avoid adding mirror records. [2]
The partner's share of exports
Sales from Malawi to the partner represented 1.95% of its worldwide goods exports in 2025. The share compares the same reporter, year and coverage. It measures export concentration, not the percentage of GDP dependent on this relationship. A partner may be important in a specific sector even if its share of total goods trade is small. [2]
Five years of trade trends
The consistent series shows 331.5 million USD in 2021 and 279.3 million in 2025. The change between the two endpoints was -15.7 % in current dollars. The highest annual value in the period was recorded in 2023, at 404.1 million. The chart allows the two directions to be compared to see whether they moved together or differently. The change combines quantities, prices and exchange rates; it is not automatically attributed to a treaty, a visit or a political decision. The same reporter is retained and missing years are not interpolated. [3]
Documented trade sectors
Within the selected chapters, mineral fuels and oils stands out in shipments from United Arab Emirates to Malawi, at 112.3 million USD in 2025. Within the selected chapters, electrical and electronic equipment stands out in shipments from Malawi to United Arab Emirates, at 0.0963 million USD in 2025. The table compares eight selected chapters with the same coverage as the trade total. It is not a complete list or proof that the first item in this selection is the leading product across the entire relationship. A chapter groups numerous goods: machinery and components, for example, do not describe a single business transaction. [4]
Sources and data
Periods and scope of the figures
Institutional sources and periods accompany each figure. Annual trade, investment positions, residents and visits are distinct measures. Empty cells do not mean zero. Statements of intent are not presented as project implementation or treaties in force.
- Bilateral relations — ARE-MWI
United Arab Emirates Ministry of Foreign Affairs · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-08
- Bounded matrix; reporter, partner, year, chapter and direction identified in each record
UN Comtrade; reporters MDA, MDG, MDV, MKD, MLT, MNE, MOZ, MRT, MUS, MWI, MYS, NAM · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-08
- Trade series 2021–2025
UN Comtrade / MWI · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-08
- Bounded matrix; reporter, partner, year, chapter and direction identified in each record
UN Comtrade; reporters MWI, MYS, NAM, NLD · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-08
- NY.GDP.MKTP.CD; ISO and reference year; no military dataset expansion
World Bank · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- Official series — gdp
World Bank · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- SP.POP.TOTL; ISO and reference year; no military dataset expansion
World Bank · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- Official series — population
World Bank · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
Additional sources on products and human connections
- UN Comtrade; reporters MWI, MYS, NAM, NLD
2026-10-08 · Accessed: 2026-10-08 · Bounded matrix; reporter, partner, year, chapter and direction identified in each record.