Communities across Malawi stand to benefit even more from expanded economic opportunities after NBM Development Bank Limited (NBMDBL) was named the Top Industrialisation Catalyst Award winner at the 2025 Impact Integration and Investment Forum held at the Bingu International Convention Centre in Lilongwe over the weekend.
The recognition comes as the forum, themed ‘Mobilising Private Capital Towards Malawi 2063’, reviewed progress under the Malawi Implementation Plan (MIP-1), celebrating institutions that are driving inclusive growth, sustainability, and measurable socio-economic transformation.
According to Stratedge Limited Managing Partner, Kisunge Kabwere, NBMDBL stood out for its strong financing of programmes that are accelerating industrialisation, boosting agricultural productivity, and enabling commercialisation, while leveraging key pillars like human capital development, economic infrastructure, good governance, and private sector dynamism.“
NBM Development Bank Limited has financed 78 SMEs across agribusiness, manufacturing, energy, education, health, tourism, ICT, water and sanitation, and structured mining, strengthening supply chains and enabling value addition.
A total of K17.03 billion has been disbursed through blended financing, including concessional rates under the FInES project, providing patient capital for scaling operations, and this is something that deserves recognition,” said Kabwere.
He noted that the Bank’s interventions have generated over 1,800 direct and indirect jobs, contributing significantly to skills development, industrial operations, export expansion, import substitution, and inclusive development.
Reacting to the award, NBMDBL General Manager, Bernard Masi, said the recognition reaffirms the Bank’s mandate to lead development financing in Malawi.
“We are deeply rooted in development funding, and this award serves as a strong encouragement for us to continue pushing boundaries,” said Masi.
He dedicated the achievement to the Bank’s customers and staff, adding, “This award belongs to our customers and our dedicated team.
Their trust and hard work are what make recognitions like this possible.”Looking ahead, Masi said NBMDBL remains committed to expanding innovative financing solutions for Malawi’s private sector.
“We are committed to finding even better and more innovative ways to support businesses across Malawi. Our goal is to ensure that entrepreneurs and enterprises continue to thrive,” he said.
Last year, the Bank also received recognition from the Malawi Investment and Trade Centre after winning the Best Financial Services award at the 34th Malawi International Trade Fair.
