National Association of Small and Medium Enterprise (Nasme) says business players in Malawi should brace for tough economic times following the second wave of Covid-19 pandemic which has hit South Africa.

Nasme’s National Chairperson William Mwale said South Africa, which has been hit the hardest by the virus, is the main trading center for Malawi hence the situation is likely to choke many businesses.

He has since asked government to align some strategies to remedy the situation and bail out traders from the looming economic crisis.

South Africa is the worst hit country with the variant Covid-19 in Africa and this has led to the suspension of flights from the country to other countries.

Earlier this month, South African scientists discovered a new variant of the coronavirus, similar to one found in Britain.

On Sunday, South Africa passed 1 million coronavirus cases.