Zambia Certifies Usingini Coffee: Gateway to Malawi Business Growth

Key Business Points

• Usingini Upland Coffee is now Zambia Bureau of Standards certified, opening doors to formal exports across Africa. Malawian businesses can use this as a model for quality compliance and cross-border trade.
• Local coffee prices have surged from K7,000 to K21,000 per kg since 2024, showing strong domestic demand, but smuggling continues to hurt export earnings. This presents both risk and opportunity for processors and exporters.
• Small-to-medium agribusinesses like Fecko Investment are scaling up through partnerships, out-grower models, and eco-friendly practices. Entrepreneurs should consider integrating value addition and sustainable supply chains to tap into export-ready markets.

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Lilongwe-based agribusiness Fecko Investment has achieved international recognition after the Zambia Bureau of Standards (Zabs) certified its Usingini Upland Coffee, paving the way for formal exports within and beyond Africa. The certification confirms that the company’s products—including roasted beans, ground coffee, and filter-packed coffee—meet African Organisation for Standardisation requirements under the African Conformity Assessment Programme.

This milestone comes at a critical time for Malawi’s coffee sector, which continues to face challenges from widespread smuggling that undermines foreign exchange earnings. Despite rising domestic prices, much of the crop still crosses porous borders informally, limiting official export figures.

Dominic Joseph, Out-growers National Coordinator at Fecko Investment, said the certification followed rigorous processes, including training and inspections aligned with regional standards. He noted that the company has tripled its monthly roasting capacity—from 300kg to 1,000kg—and now sees itself as an emerging international brand ready to expand its footprint.

"The recognition gives us confidence that we’re competing globally," Joseph said. "We aim to grow further and support more community-based farmers."

Kondwani Nanchukwa, Secretary General of the Coffee Association of Malawi (Camal), praised the achievement as a breakthrough that could help revive Malawi’s coffee exports. He added that while coffee prices rose sharply last year—from K7,000 per kg to K21,000—smuggling remains a major barrier to realizing the sector’s full potential.

"Usingini’s certification makes the coffee acceptable not just in Africa, but globally," Nanchukwa said.

According to Malawi Government data, coffee export values have been volatile over recent years: reaching $2.8 million in 2021, dropping to $1.1 million in 2022, and recovering to $3.4 million in 2024. With growing interest in specialty and locally branded goods, certified enterprises like Fecko Investment may lead the way in rebuilding trust in Malawi’s coffee trade.

For other SMEs, the lesson is clear: investing in quality control, traceability, and compliance with international standards opens new revenue streams. As Malawi looks to diversify its export base, stories like Usingini Coffee show how small-scale innovators can rise to meet global expectations—with the right support and focus on quality.

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