Malawi’s Economy Soars: MSE Records Remarkable 593% Trading Surge in May
Key Business Points
- The Malawi Stock Exchange (MSE) recorded a 593 percent increase in share value traded in May 2025, despite a negative market return of -2.26 percent for the month.
- The surge in trading activity represents a 197.75 percent increase in share volume traded, with daily average trades jumping from 2.51 million shares in April to 7.47 million shares in May.
- The strong performance provides assurance that the local bourse remains a bonafide wealth creation avenue, beating inflation rates and encouraging investors to explore the stock exchange as a storage of value and wealth creation.
The Malawi Stock Exchange (MSE) has recorded a significant increase in share value traded in May 2025, despite a negative market return for the month. According to the MSE’s Monthly Market Performance Report, the bourse transacted 149.40 million shares worth K94.13 billion ($54.29 million) across 2,960 trades in May, compared to 50.18 million shares valued at K13.58 billion ($7.83 million) in 2,943 trades recorded in April. This represents a 197.75 percent increase in share volume traded, with daily average trades jumping from 2.51 million shares in April to 7.47 million shares in May.
The surge in trading activity is reflected in the average daily turnover, which soared to K4.71 billion ($2.71 million) in May from K679.11 million in April, representing a 593.05 percent increase recorded in overall trading value. Notable among the transactions were 73,300 NBM shares that traded as negotiated deals at a total consideration of K417.81 million. MSE Chief Operating Officer Keline Kondowe described the monthly performance as mixed, attributing the negative return to price corrections on some counters.
However, she emphasized that the year-to-date return remains strongly positive at 64.58 percent, reflecting robust market performance for 2025. Market analyst Brian Kampanje praised the bourse’s resilience, describing May’s performance as a strong comeback from April’s subdued activity. This performance provides assurance that the local bourse remains a bonafide wealth creation avenue, beating the inflation rates. As listed companies begin to publish half-year trading statements, demand is expected to persist, providing opportunities for investors to explore the stock exchange as a storage of value and wealth creation. In Chichewa, this is referred to as "cholinga chake cha boma", or "owning a piece of the country," highlighting the potential for Malawian businesses and individuals to benefit from investing in the stock exchange.
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