Advancing Gender-Responsive Support to Food SMEs to Improve Access to Safe, Affordable and Nutritious Food in Malawi
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Date
2026
Authors
Gitau, Raphael K.
Wekesa, Bright
Harawa, Philip P.
Shashi, Njile Isaack
Ninsiima, Racheal
Chelang'a, Naomi Chebiwot
Mugisha, Baine Euzobia
Korir Emily6
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
AERC
Abstract
Small and Medium-scale food vendors operating in local markets in Lilongwe are crucial in the provision of food to households, especially those from low-income stratum. Despite their significance, food vendors’ ability to supply consumers with affordable, safe and nutritious food is constrained by limited accessibility to business credit, limited accessibility to business registration services, limited accessibility to business support groups and mentorship, and limited accessibility to and utilisation of sanitation facilities in the local markets. It is imperative, therefore, to cascade business registration services to local market levels; devise and roll-out gender-inclusive mechanisms to incentivise food traders to register their enterprises; strictly enforce food safety measures among food traders at all times and undertake periodic assessments of business development needs of food SMEs and implement appropriate actions. Food vendors as well, through the leadership in the local markets, should always be pro-active in demanding hygienic, safe and inclusive market infrastructure from duty bearers; be pro-active in identifying and engaging business development facilitators, and facilitate development and strengthening of business support groups among the food SMEs.