Malawi produces some of the region's most sought-after rice - Kilombero, Super Faya, and Kayanjamalo - yet only a small fraction reaches international markets. This gap is primarily driven by productivity challenges, as farmers require better access to high-quality seed and specialized extension services to adopt practices that increase yields and expand the tradable surplus. This policy brief demonstrates that, with correct management, rice can become a significant export earner for Malawi. However, this will require strategic investment driven by both production and market demand.