Company: Adam Smith International
Location: Lilongwe, Central Region, Malawi, Malawi
Job Type: Full Time
Project Background
The Malawi Value Chains (MVC) project, implemented by Adam Smith International (ASI), is one of two components of the Malawi Trade and Investment Programme (MTIP), a five-year FCDO-funded initiative that aims to break Malawi’s cycle of low growth by driving exports. The overall objective for MVC is to implement the value chain component of MTIP, to increase productivity, quality production, and export performance of the macadamia and mango value chains, as well as supporting increased mining investment and, ultimately, exports. Other complementary MTIP components focus on reducing the time and costs of trade and logistics (implemented by TradeMark Africa).
The objective for the Mining Team is to identify, facilitate and support private and public developments in the mining sector that will lead to investment and ultimately increased exports. This includes playing the role of the Development Partner Coordinator (DPC) in the mining sector. The team has developed a work programme in mining that focuses on four key areas, namely: mining investment facilitation (including ancillary infrastructure), public-private dialogue effectiveness, development partner collaboration, and capacity building of government officials and institutions.
This study is expected to inform approaches to investment in mining that promote increased export value and broad-based industrial and social development in the country.
Relevant Context
Global demand for transition and critical minerals is projected to grow by approximately 12% annually through to 2030, according to the International Energy Agency, driven largely by the accelerating shift to clean energy technologies. Minerals such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, graphite and rare earth elements are essential components in the production of electric vehicles, renewable energy solutions and energy storage systems - all of which are experiencing rapid growth in response to global decarbonisation efforts. Meeting this rising demand, however, presents significant challenges, particularly in securing and managing supply chains that are already under considerable strain.
Historically, low- and middle-income countries have served primarily as exporters of raw minerals, with little or no local processing. This pattern has limited their ability to capture the full economic benefits of their natural resources, often resulting in missed opportunities for industrial development, job creation, and technological advancement. Instead, most of the processing and manufacturing has taken place in wealthier nations, reinforcing global inequalities in the value chain. As demand for transition minerals grow, there is a desire by mineral-producing countries and development partners to shift this dynamic by developing domestic refining, manufacturing, and innovation capacity. Doing so not only strengthens global supply chain resilience but also promotes more equitable economic development.
Within this broader context, Southern Africa’s rich mineral reserves represent a significant opportunity for value addition within the region. Today, only 5% of Africa’s transition minerals are processed on the continent, according to the African Energy Council, meaning most of the economic value is captured beyond Africa. Developing local beneficiation and processing capabilities could significantly boost development, employment, and technological capacity across the region.
However, the high capital and technical requirements of establishing such infrastructure, and a supportive investment environment is a barrier for many countries, particularly those with smaller reserves. In response, some governments are pursuing collaborative models, including regional processing hubs and cross-border partnerships, as practical and scalable solutions, notably the DRC and Zambia collaborating to develop value chains for electric batteries (nickel, manganese and cobalt battery precursors). These cooperative approaches enable countries to pool resources, benefit from economies of scale, and attract investment more effectively - meaning wider economic and industrial benefits for Southern Africa as a whole.
Mining sector in Malawi
Malawi is emerging as an active player in the global mining landscape, particularly in the rapidly growing market for critical energy transition minerals. The country is endowed with deposits of transition minerals—such as rare earth elements, rutile (not strictly a transition mineral, but strategic for Malawi), graphite, niobium, and cobalt—fundamental in the production of renewable energy technologies, electric vehicles, and advanced electronics, positioning Malawi as a potential key supplier in the global energy transition.
Beyond the extraction of raw materials, Malawi’s emerging resource wealth presents a broader opportunity for structural economic transformation through value addition. Recognising the sector’s potential, the government has placed mining at the centre of its long-term development agenda. Under the flagship Agriculture, Tourism, and Mining (ATM) Strategy, the Government of Malawi (GoM) aims to diversify the economy by modernising the mining sector, streamlining regulatory frameworks, and increasing processed mineral exports[1]. In tandem, the development of an Energy Transition Minerals (ETM) Roadmap, supported by the World Bank, signals a commitment to ensuring that the sector’s growth delivers broad-based benefits to all Malawians.
With transition and critical minerals becoming increasingly central to global industrial supply chain resilience, Malawi has a timely opportunity to reposition itself within regional and international value chains. By integrating into downstream activities - investing in value addition, infrastructure, skills development, and responsible governance - the country could unlock wider socio-economic benefits, ranging from job creation and domestic supplier development to technological innovation.
Assignment
This value chain analysis seeks to explore the realistic opportunities, constraints, and strategic policy pathways for Malawi moving beyond the relatively unprocessed exports of transition minerals and integrating into downstream activities, advancing practical steps in value addition, linking into regional and global export markets for downstream products, enhancing competitiveness, and promoting inclusive, sustainable growth.
MVC wants to hire a consultant with expert technical knowledge and experience to undertake the proposed study.
The Terms of Reference lays out three phases of work. At this stage we are looking for technical and financial bids for Phases 1 and 2 only. If the activity is successful and funds are available, there is the possibility of extension (Phase 3).
Objectives and Intended Outcomes
The overall objective of this study is to provide key insights into the realistic potential for Malawi’s integration into regional and global transition mineral value chains, focusing on domestic value addition and downstream processing opportunities to increase the economic and wider developmental impacts of the mining sector for Malawi.
A maximum of two mineral value chains will be selected for in-depth analysis. This mapping and analysis will:
The key audiences for the study are GoM policy makers, private sector mining investors/companies, development partners and financiers.
Scope of Work
Phase 1: Planning, Prioritisation and Value Chain Mapping
In the first two weeks of engagement, the consultant team is expected to prepare a detailed study plan, outlining the workplan, methodology (including an approach for selecting which two minerals to include in the value chain analysis) and deliverables. This will guide the full study. Opportunities to produce interim deliverables without additional effort should be considered; for example, the value chain illustrations.
Importantly, The Study Should Have a Learning And Knowledge Management Focus To Test Assumptions And Support The Generation Of Actionable Insights Related To Mining-led Export Growth. The Following Questions Could Be Considered In Methodology Design
Undertake a rapid scoping assessment of the following minerals in Malawi: graphite[2], rutile, rare earths, niobium, nickel, cobalt, lithium and manganese (the “long-list”) using existing available data and diagnostics.
Conduct a detailed mapping of Malawi’s high potential mineral value chains (maximum two), from the point of extraction through to end use.
For Each Prioritised Mineral
Phase 2: Assessment of Value Opportunity and Value Loss, Market Analysis
Conduct an analysis of the global and regional market environment for prioritised transition minerals to understand the external factors influencing competitiveness, value addition potential, and trade positioning.
Phase 3 is included for information purposes only. Bids should only respond to Phase 1 and Phase 2.
Phase 3: Identifying Viable Value Addition Interventions
Identify realistic, actionable opportunities for Malawi to move down the mineral value chain and estimate the potential economic and fiscal returns from doing so. This assessment should focus on both near-term and longer-term opportunities and be grounded in Malawi’s resource base, capabilities, and market realities.
Design and implement a structured stakeholder engagement process to ensure that the findings of the mineral value chain analysis are accurate, grounded in local realities, and aligned with the interests and capacities of key actors. This process should also build ownership and consensus around actionable strategies to enhance value addition and competitiveness in Malawi’s mineral sector.
Deliverables
The Contractor Will Provide The Following Deliverables
Timing and Duration – Phase 1
The first phase of this assignment should commence as soon as possible.
Estimated Level Of Effort And Responsibilities
Phase 1
Required Expertise
The study team should consist of multidisciplinary expertise, including
Application deadline is 17th March 2026.