Malaysia Export to Africa: A Guide for Manufacturers (2026)

Malaysia is known for halal food, personal care, medical devices, electrical goods and industrial products, and its trade agency has been taking exporters to African buyers. This guide on Malaysia export to Africa is for manufacturers that want to sell finished goods to African wholesalers and distributors. It covers what MATRADE reports from its recent mission, the Malaysian paperwork for a certificate of origin and customs declaration, how to pick a first market, and how to list on Comilmart.

Malaysia export to Africa: what MATRADE reported

The Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) said in a press release dated 8 September 2025 that it ran an Export Acceleration Mission to South Africa and Kenya with SME Bank Malaysia from 1 to 5 September 2025. Thirteen Malaysian companies took part in four sectors: medical devices and equipment, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and beauty products, and halal food and beverages. MATRADE organised 240 business matching sessions with 128 South African and Kenyan buyers, and the companies reported total sales exceeding RM125 million, including RM13.6 million in actual sales. Treat these as company-reported mission results, not a forecast for your own sales. The release is on the MATRADE website.

The same release gives trade totals. In 2024, Malaysia's total trade was RM7.82 billion with South Africa and RM5.57 billion with Kenya. For January to July 2025, trade with South Africa was RM3.24 billion (exports RM1.87 billion, imports RM1.37 billion), and with Kenya RM3.26 billion (exports RM3.24 billion, imports RM30 million). The release does not break these down by product, so we do not quote any.

Where MATRADE has staff in Africa

MATRADE lists a Johannesburg office led by MATRADE's trade representative. The page says it covers Eastern Africa (including Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Mauritius and others), Southern Africa (including South Africa, Angola, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe) and Central Africa (Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo). It lists no other African office, so West Africa is not covered by a named MATRADE desk on that page. Contact MATRADE to ask what market information it can share for your product. This is as of October 2026, so check the site for current details.

Halal food, cosmetics and medical products: expect product-specific checks

Halal food and beverages, cosmetics and medical devices were all in the MATRADE mission, and they are also the categories where African authorities and buyers often ask for registrations or certificates. We have not verified any country's rules for this guide, so ask each buyer which authority, certificate or registration applies, and whether they recognise your halal certifier. Our guide to selling cosmetics and beauty products to Africa lists the questions to ask, and labelling and packaging for African markets covers language and shelf-life rules.

Malaysia export to Africa: certificate of origin and customs declaration

The Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) explains the non-preferential certificate of origin (NPCO) on its NPCO page, which shows a last-updated date of 22 May 2026. It says ordinary NPCOs are issued by chambers and associations authorised by MITI, that applicants must be manufacturers or traders registered with the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM), and that each endorsement needs a completed NPCO form with the sales invoice and packing list. After export, the bill of lading and the Customs Declaration Form (K2) are added. The page says an NPCO is issued at the importer's request and is voluntary because it carries no preferential treatment. For exports to the United States, it says MITI itself issues NPCOs from 6 May 2025, which is not relevant to African buyers but shows rules can change.

MATRADE's Beginner's Guide to Exporting, in its section on export documentation, describes Customs Form K2 as the standard export declaration and says it is required when the shipment value exceeds a government minimum or a duty drawback is claimed. It adds that a freight forwarder issues it. The guide also describes an export licence for specified goods and points to MITI and Royal Malaysian Customs for guidance. Read the MATRADE guide and confirm the current rules with your forwarder, MITI or customs.

Which African markets to try first

Malaysia's recent trade and mission activity is concentrated on South Africa and Kenya, and MATRADE's Johannesburg office covers most of East and Southern Africa. That makes Kenya a logical first test for goods like halal food, personal care and medical consumables. Read our guides to selling in Kenya as a foreign manufacturer and selling in South Africa. Add West Africa later, once you have a first order and a compliance checklist.

Routes, Incoterms and quoting

Ask your forwarder about direct services from your nearest Malaysian port versus transhipment, and quote FOB or CIF with lead time and validity. Temperature-sensitive goods such as cosmetics and some food need packing for heat, and you should tell buyers what storage the product needs. Buyers will add freight, port charges, duty and clearing to your price, so show your quote clearly.

Selling through Comilmart

Comilmart is a B2B and B2C marketplace for Africa. You can list products with MOQs and tiered pricing, answer buyer requests from your RFQ board once approved, chat live and offer sample orders. Buyer protection holds payment until delivery is confirmed, with a 7-day window. You arrange and pay for shipping; Comilmart does not handle freight, customs clearance, duties or delivery, and it cannot promise orders, volumes or prices. Ask about supplier payment methods and currencies through live chat or /contact-us.

Frequently asked questions

Does MATRADE have an office in Africa? Its site lists a Johannesburg office covering parts of Eastern, Southern and Central Africa.

Do I need a certificate of origin to export from Malaysia? MITI says the NPCO is issued at the importer's request. Ask your buyer whether their customs requires one.

What is the K2 form? MATRADE's guide describes it as the standard export declaration, typically issued by a freight forwarder.

Can a Malaysian manufacturer apply to Comilmart? Yes, the application is free and any country is accepted.

Will Comilmart find me orders? No. It provides a catalogue, an RFQ board and buyer protection on orders. It cannot promise buyers or volumes.

Getting started

To start Malaysia export to Africa with a verified profile, visit /sell-to-africa and apply at /apply-manufacturer. The form asks for your company registration number, tax number, a business licence upload, a registration certificate upload, at least two sample product images, your mission, vision and core values, and at least one B2B category. Applying is free, a Malaysian address is accepted, and admin review is stated as taking about 24 to 48 hours. Plans are $0 (Standard), $99 (Starter), $300 (Verified) and $800 (Verified Pro) per year.