There are growing expectations that Malawi’s small and medium enterprises could become a powerful engine for job creation and income growth, as German Agency for International Cooperation and Old Mutual Malawi join forces to unlock new opportunities for local businesses.
The collaboration, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), brings together GIZ, Old Mutual, and North East Foods Limited in a joint effort to support enterprise growth through financing, innovation, and technical expertise.
Speaking after the signing, GIZ Country Director Inge Baumgarten said the initiative reflects the long-standing partnership between Germany and Malawi, with a focus on empowering SMEs to thrive.
“As GIZ, we are working with the Malawian government, private sector and civil society to strengthen small and medium enterprises so that they can create jobs and increase incomes,” said Baumgarten.
She noted that the collaboration leverages the strengths of each partner, with Old Mutual contributing financial and community engagement experience, North East Foods driving innovation, and GIZ providing technical expertise and capacity development.
Baumgarten highlighted North East Foods’ black soldier fly project as a key innovation under the partnership, describing it as a sustainable solution that converts waste into protein-rich livestock feed.
“This will help farmers produce more at lower costs, particularly in poultry and fish farming,” she said.
Chairperson of the Old Mutual Foundation, Taonga Manda, described the agreement as a milestone in expanding the foundation’s support towards entrepreneurship.
“GIZ is already working with entrepreneurs, and we are coming in with financial support to help these businesses grow. This partnership ensures we contribute meaningfully to national development through SMEs,” said Manda.
He added that the foundation has committed K30 million towards the initiative, marking a significant investment in Malawi’s growing entrepreneurial sector.
Manda further said the foundation, which has previously focused on education infrastructure, bursaries, and skills development, is now broadening its scope to include enterprise development.
Meanwhile, North East Foods Chief Executive Officer Kate Chisambi said the partnership will help scale up their insect farming innovation, which addresses both waste management and the high cost of livestock feed.
“We ventured into black soldier fly farming to support farmers who were struggling with feed costs. The support we have received will help us invest in machinery and train smallholder farmers to produce their own feed,” she said.
Chisambi added that the initiative will not only improve production efficiency but also empower farmers with sustainable, cost-effective solutions.
