The Malawi Bureau of Standards (MBS) and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has on 26^th February 2025, signed a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at establishing a framework for cooperation for the achievement of their common purposes including food quality, enhanced livelihoods and market access of products. It is through this framework that the project, “Sesame Export Promotion Through Capacity Strengthening of Malawi Bureau of Standards” will be implemented.

Through this MoU, WFP is supporting the development of value chains for sesame, cowpea, and sorghum which among other benefits, are highly resilient and have significant commercial potential, both domestically and internationally. The partnership is therefore to improve testing and certification capabilities to meet international standards.

Speaking on during the event, the Country Director of WFP in Malawi, Simon Denhere, said beyond food security, WFP’s investment in value chains is about positioning Malawi as a key player in regional and international markets. Sesame, cowpeas, and sorghum have growing demand in export markets, including in Asia, the Middle East, and Europe and by working closely with MBS to ensure compliance with international quality standards. Thus enhancement of Malawi’s competitiveness, contributing to the GDP and supporting macroeconomic stability.

According to Mr. Thomas Senganimalunje, the Deputy Director General of the MBS, the MBS has embarked on an ambitious accreditation drive which is well articulated in the MBS its 2023-2028 Strategic Plan. Achieving and maintaining accreditation is a dominant outcome aiming to achieve 148 accreditations from a baseline of 5 during the lifetime of the current strategic plan.

Mr. Senganimalunje further said the MBS is thankful to the Government of Japan and the WFP for this important intervention that will accelerate some outcomes in the MBS 2023-2028 Strategic Plan.

This MoU will create new market opportunities for farmers, cooperatives, and agro-processors, advancing Malawi’s vision of a competitive and export-driven agricultural sector.