NBM Lights Up Mzuzu as SMEs Shine and Customers Take Centre Stage

MZUZU – The cool northern breeze did little to dampen the excitement as National Bank of Malawi (NBM) plc brought Mzuzu to life with two customer-focused events that celebrated entrepreneurship, innovation and meaningful engagement.

The bank’s back-to-back activities, held on June 26 and 27, reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening relationships with customers while supporting the growth of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), a vital pillar of Malawi’s economy.

The programme began on Friday evening with the NBM Connect & Engage Mzuzu Edition Cocktail at Sunbird Mzuzu Hotel, where senior bank executives, led by Chief Executive Officer Harold Jiya, met customers in an atmosphere that encouraged open dialogue and collaboration.

The cocktail was attended by Mzuzu NBM customers.

More than a networking event, the gathering gave customers an opportunity to interact directly with the bank’s leadership, share their experiences and provide feedback on products and services.

Head of Retail Banking William Chatsala said the initiative was designed to deepen customer relationships and ensure the bank remains responsive to clients’ evolving needs.

“This is an opportunity for the bank to meet and interact with our Mzuzu-based customers. It will help us gather feedback on our banking products and services and receive suggestions on how best to improve,” he said.

Customers were also introduced to the bank’s latest digital innovations, including BankNet360, a platform designed to make banking more convenient by enabling customers to access services and conduct transactions from the comfort of their homes or offices.

One of the attendees, Faizal Karim, Managing Director of Mzuzu Panel Beater Limited, welcomed the engagement.

We are excited with this engagement because it has introduced us to the new innovative products that the bank has brought to us,” he said

The celebrations continued on Saturday at Springs Park, where thousands of people gathered for the NBM SME Day Exhibition, held to commemorate World MSME Day.

From morning until late afternoon, the venue transformed into a vibrant marketplace showcasing innovation, entrepreneurship and business opportunities.

About 50 SMEs from across the Northern Region exhibited products and services in agriculture, agro-processing, manufacturing, fashion, food processing, technology and the creative industry. Visitors shopped, networked and explored new business opportunities.

Addressing the gathering, NBM Chief Executive Officer Harold Jiya reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to empowering small businesses, saying SMEs remain the backbone of Malawi’s economy.

NBM CEO Jiya.

Today, as we commemorate World SME Day, we recognise that SMEs are a very important component of economic growth. They create jobs, stimulate innovation and contribute significantly to national development,” he said.

Jiya noted that SMEs account for about 70 percent of employment in developing economies, making them central to inclusive economic growth. He said NBM had established a dedicated SME department to provide tailored financial solutions and business support.

The CEO further disclosed that the bank has invested more than K10 billion in SMEs through targeted financing initiatives, while its broader SME lending portfolio now stands at approximately K175 billion, reflecting the bank’s long-term commitment to the sector.

Among the exhibitors was Darlington ndasauka, who observed that many SMEs continue to face difficult operating conditions due to the country’s economic challenges. He nevertheless acknowledged that access to financing and business support remains critical for sustaining growth

Darlington ndasauka

The exhibition also featured lively performances by popular musicians Eli Njuchi and Saint Realest, adding colour and excitement to the family-friendly event. With free admission, thousands of people turned out to celebrate entrepreneurship and support local businesses.

The Mzuzu events form part of NBM’s broader strategy of strengthening customer engagement, promoting digital banking and empowering entrepreneurs across the country. By investing in SMEs, listening to customers and embracing innovation, the bank continues to reinforce its position as the Bank of the Nation.

part of the SME exhibitions.

As the curtains fell on a successful weekend, one message stood out clearly: when National Bank of Malawi invests in communities, it creates opportunities for businesses to grow, customers to prosper and local economies to flourish.