Anwar's Africa Pivot: Malaysia Hunts New Trade Horizons Beyond Slowing West

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has kicked off a high-profile African tour, visiting Ethiopia, South Africa and Kenya to position the continent as Malaysia’s next strategic growth partner. With Western markets cooling and global supply chains under strain, Malaysia is aggressively seeking new trade routes and consumer bases in fast-growing Africa.

Speaking in Addis Ababa, Anwar told business leaders Malaysia remains committed to open markets but now needs “reliable partners in a rapidly changing world.”

Africa Pivot

Last year, Malaysia exported RM15.3 billion in goods—mainly palm oil, petroleum products and machinery—to Africa, with South Africa absorbing nearly half.

Analysts welcome the pivot, highlighting Malaysia’s strengths in halal manufacturing, renewable energy, Islamic finance and digital services as perfect fits for Africa’s rising needs. While Africa cannot yet replace Europe or the US overnight, the continent’s youthful population and expanding middle class offer long-term upside. Anwar’s trip aims to cement government-level ties that will ease Malaysian firms’ entry into these promising markets.