Joseph WasongaSusan MwangiMacheso, Eleanor2022-08-182022-08-182022http://ir-library.ku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/23967A Research Thesis Submitted to the School of Security, Diplomacy and Peace Studies in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Award of the Degree of Master of Arts in Diplomacy and International Relations of Kenyatta University, January, 2022Malawi and South Africa have maintained trade relations through different time periods in their respective histories. Trade between the two countries has eventually grown to be governed by formal structures that are sustained by a variety of factors. The purpose of the study was to examine the bilateral trade relations between the two countries. Specifically, the research aimed to; trace the history of Malawi-South Africa relations from 1967-2016, analyse patterns of trading activities between Malawi and South Africa and analyse the emerging issues on trade relations between Malawi and South Africa. Thus, the study has provided a detailed historical view of these trade relations, what influences the relations, and the changes that have occurred in these relations with time. The study also examined the diverse challenges faced by the two countries in attaining balanced trade despite belonging to the same regional block of Southern African Development Community (SADC). The study employed an explanatory research design with the use of both primary and secondary data to answer the research questions. A total of 126 government officials, historians and international relations experts from both Malawi and South Africa formed the study‟s target population. A sample of 39 was identified from the population using purposive and convenience sampling techniques. A questionnaire was designed and used to collect data. To analyse the data, content analysis was used. The study also used economic realism as a main theory, supported by the theory of comparative advantage to analyse the data. The study found that although asymmetrical, official trade between the two countries has witnessed tremendous growth and continues to do so even though it tends to fluctuate. It also found out that changes have been witnessed in trade patterns and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) between the two trade partners. Finally, the study found that the trade relations between Malawi and South Africa, although unbalanced, still prove to have noticeable mutuality for the two countries and their interests. The study concluded that the trading partners need to identify more ways to promote state policies on imports, exports, customs, and tax that favour their trade relations and create a constructive atmosphere for investment. Furthermore, regardless of the discrepancy in the economic levels between Malawi and South Africa, their trade relations still have the capacity to expand further in the future with appropriate and specific strategies. The study also outlined some recommendations that could be of benefit for the two countries in their future engagement.enTrade RelationsMalawiSouth Africa1967-2016Thesis