MISSION

MCCCI exists to serve and promote the interests of its members and the business community generally in Malawi. Our vision is to be a model of excellence in lobbying and advocacy, and delivery of business facilitation services in Malawi and the Southern Africa region.

VISION

The Malawi Confederation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry is to be a model chamber in Southern African Region that provides premium, adequate and sustainable services to its members.

BUSINESS FACILITATION SERVICES

To support the growth of enterprises in Malawi, MCCCI offers a number of services to its members and the entire business community. The services include the following:

• Providing business and economic information for decision making;
• Issuing export certification documents;
• Organizing trade promotion events;
• Providing business management training;
• Representing the business community at national, regional and international fora;
• Offering business premises to micro and small entreprises.

LOBBYING AND ADVOCACY

To ensure a conducive environment for private sector development, MCCCI carries out research and analyzes policies and regulations to identify obstacles to doing business in the country. The research and analysis provides MCCCI with a basis for lobbying on issues that need to be addressed by the government. MCCCI uses a number of platforms in its lobbying and advocacy process. These include but are not limited to:

1. Press Briefings:
   MCCCI holds conferences to brief the media on private sector development issues and also comments through the media on issues of national socio-economic importance.
   
2. Business Meetings:
   These are held with the relevant government officials and the Parliamentary committees to discuss and resolve issues affecting the operations of businesses.
   National Annual Budget Consultations: MCCCI provides input into the National Annual Budget through Pre- and Post-Budget consultation.
3. Public Private Dialogue Forum:
   This is a high level team of public and private sector representatives co-chaired by the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the private sector. The Forum  discusses challenges faced by the business community and adopts resolutions that would ultimately improve the  socio-economic, legal and regulatory environment for business operations

AFFILIATION

MCCCI is a member of:

1. Association of SADC Chambers of Commerce  and Industry (ASCCI).
   
2. Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Business Council

HISTORY

The Malawi Confederation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (MCCCI) is a partnership of enterprises and associations representing all sectors of the economy of Malawi. MCCCI is committed to the achievement of Malawi’s socio-economic development through joint action and enlightened dialogue among private sector members and constituencies.

The MCCCI has been in the forefront of Malawi’s private sector development efforts for over 100 years. Established in 1892, the first Chamber organization operated as a Chamber of Agriculture and Commerce to reflect the predominant focus of the economy on agriculture production and trade. To support the growing business community, the Chamber developed and provided important business services such as assisting members to have their own new coffee and tea crops tested in European markets and to locate and bring needed technical expertise into the country.

In mid 1900’s, as the business community prospered and diversified, the Chamber supported the emergence of merchants and trader’s associations. With amalgamation of business-focused organizations under the umbrella of the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry, the Chamber was mandated to speak for all private sector concerns dealing with government on issues concerning trade and commerce, pricing policies, requirements for pre and post export financing, and sectoral impacts of government policies.

The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry later on changed its name to Malawi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which was changed again when the regional chambers were established in 2000 to Malawi Confederation of Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Since its establishment in 1892, the MCCCI had been operating with only one office in Blantyre. Due to the rapid growth and diversification of businesses in the late 1990s, it was felt imperative for the Chamber to establish regional chambers with a view to reach out all businesses in all sectors of the economy regardless of size, nature and location.