Discusses the legal requirements for selling to the host government, including whether the government has agreed to abide by the WTO Government Procurement Agreement or is a party to a government procurement chapter in a U.S. FTA. Specifies areas where there are opportunities.
Last Published: 4/11/2019

The Government of Malawi issues periodic tender notices for supplies and services in local and international publications 15 to 90 days before the bids are due.  The Directorate of Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets has begun to list most public tenders on its website.  Detailed bid documents are normally obtained from a specific government ministry, department, or agency for a usually low non-refundable fee.  Bids are often opened in the presence of bidders or their representatives.  Malawi is not a signatory to the WTO Government Procurement Agreement.
Most public procurement opportunities are advertised in the print versions of the leading national newspapers.

The U.S. Embassy sends Trade Opportunity (TOP) notices with information on major public bids to the U.S. Department of Commerce in Washington, DC (see Major procurements are also listed in the U.S. Department of State’s Business Information Database System (BIDS).
Multilateral Development Banks (African Development Bank, World Bank)

The Commercial Service maintains Commercial Liaison Offices in each of the main Multilateral Development Banks, including the African Development Bank and the World Bank. These institutions lend billions of dollars in developing countries on projects aimed at accelerating economic growth and social development by reducing poverty and inequality, improving health and education, and advancing infrastructure development. The Commercial Liaison Offices help American businesses learn how to get involved in bank-funded projects, and advocate on behalf of American bidders. Learn more by contacting the Commercial Liaison Offices to the African Development Bank  and the World Bank. 

Many governments finance public works projects through borrowing from the Multilateral Development Banks. Please refer to “Project Financing” Section in “Trade and Project Financing” for more information.

Web Resources
Commercial Liaison Office to the African Development Bank
Commercial Liaison Office to the World Bank

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.