Resilience in Action: Building and Growing Through Malawi’s Economic Shifts

How can women entrepreneurs build resilient and sustainable businesses in the face of economic uncertainty?

This knowledge brief, Resilience in Action: Building and Growing Through Malawi’s Economic Shifts, explores the challenges faced by women-led businesses in Malawi and the practical strategies entrepreneurs can adopt to navigate uncertainty, adapt to changing market conditions and sustain business growth.

Against a backdrop of rising inflation, fuel shortages, foreign exchange constraints, limited access to finance and climate-related disruptions, women entrepreneurs must continuously adapt their business models and operations. Drawing on experiences shared during an IYBA WE4A Bridging Event in Malawi, the brief provides practice-based insights into building business resilience in challenging economic environments.

At the heart of the publication is the inspiring journey of Treaser Mchacha, co-founder and Managing Director of GTGF Holdings Limited, a growing poultry enterprise in Malawi. Starting with just 200 chickens in 2017, Treaser navigated significant business challenges, including rising production costs, disease outbreaks and financing constraints. Through strategic adaptation, stronger business systems, local partnerships and investment in her own feed production, she transformed her enterprise into a growing business with an annual turnover of MWK 477 million in 2025.

Her experience demonstrates that resilience is not simply about surviving difficult circumstances, but about making informed decisions, adapting business strategies and building systems that support long-term growth.

Key lessons explored in the brief include:

• Risk awareness and adaptability: Anticipating economic challenges, monitoring costs and adjusting business strategies in response to changing conditions.
• Business diversification: Reducing dependence on individual products, suppliers and markets to strengthen operational resilience.
• Financial and operational management: Building effective business systems, maintaining records and reinvesting in people, skills and processes.
• Strategic partnerships and networking: Developing relationships with suppliers, customers and other entrepreneurs to create opportunities and reduce business risks.
• Purpose-driven growth: Balancing business expansion with long-term sustainability, employment creation and community impact.
• Continuous learning: Using business challenges and setbacks as opportunities for innovation, improvement and growth.

Developed under the Investing in Young Businesses in Africa – Women Entrepreneurship for Africa (IYBA WE4A) programme, the publication offers practical learning for women entrepreneurs, entrepreneurship support organisations, trainers and development practitioners.

By combining a real entrepreneurial journey with actionable lessons, the brief demonstrates how women-led enterprises can strengthen their resilience, navigate economic shocks and contribute to more sustainable and inclusive economic development.

Explore the knowledge brief to discover practical strategies for building stronger, more adaptable and resilient businesses.