Small businesses in the Northern Region will this weekend get a rare opportunity to put their products before hundreds of potential customers, as about 50 enterprises prepare to exhibit at an SME Expo in Mzuzu.
The expo, organized by National Bank of Malawi (NBM) plc as part of activities marking Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Day, is expected to open new business opportunities for entrepreneurs, many of whom struggle to reach markets beyond their local communities.
The event will bring together businesses from agriculture and agro-processing, manufacturing, fashion and textiles, technology and innovation, and the creative industry.
One of the exhibitors, Mizu Events Gardens, believes the expo could help transform its business by increasing its visibility and attracting new clients.
Managing Director Rehema Simbeye said the Mzuzu-based events management company sees the exhibition as a chance to grow beyond its existing customer base.
“We are excited to take part in this year’s SME Expo. As a business operating in Mzuzu, one of our biggest challenges has been reaching new customers beyond our immediate market. We are hopeful that this platform will give us better exposure, help us connect with a wider audience, and build awareness and trust in our brand,” she said.
Simbeye added that such exhibitions also help SMEs build business networks, learn from fellow entrepreneurs and improve their competitiveness.
NBM plc Marketing and Corporate Affairs Manager Akossa Mphepo-Hiwa said the expo is meant to showcase the strength of Malawi’s SME sector while creating direct links between businesses, customers and potential partners.
“This year’s SME Expo is set to bring out the strength, creativity and resilience of Malawi’s small and medium enterprises across various sectors. Through this platform, we are enabling businesses to showcase their offerings while also connecting with customers, partners and other stakeholders,” she said.
Mphepo-Hiwa said SMEs remain a major source of jobs and economic growth, adding that the bank continues supporting the sector through tailored financial products and capacity-building programmes.
“As a Bank, we recognise that SMEs are the backbone of the economy. By bringing them closer to the public through initiatives such as this expo, we are fostering entrepreneurship, promoting inclusion, and supporting sustainable business growth,” she said.
Last year, NBM plc held a similar SME Expo in Lilongwe after engaging small businesses across the country throughout June to mark MSME Day.
The expo, organized by National Bank of Malawi (NBM) plc as part of activities marking Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Day, is expected to open new business opportunities for entrepreneurs, many of whom struggle to reach markets beyond their local communities.
The event will bring together businesses from agriculture and agro-processing, manufacturing, fashion and textiles, technology and innovation, and the creative industry.
One of the exhibitors, Mizu Events Gardens, believes the expo could help transform its business by increasing its visibility and attracting new clients.
Managing Director Rehema Simbeye said the Mzuzu-based events management company sees the exhibition as a chance to grow beyond its existing customer base.
“We are excited to take part in this year’s SME Expo. As a business operating in Mzuzu, one of our biggest challenges has been reaching new customers beyond our immediate market. We are hopeful that this platform will give us better exposure, help us connect with a wider audience, and build awareness and trust in our brand,” she said.
Simbeye added that such exhibitions also help SMEs build business networks, learn from fellow entrepreneurs and improve their competitiveness.
NBM plc Marketing and Corporate Affairs Manager Akossa Mphepo-Hiwa said the expo is meant to showcase the strength of Malawi’s SME sector while creating direct links between businesses, customers and potential partners.
“This year’s SME Expo is set to bring out the strength, creativity and resilience of Malawi’s small and medium enterprises across various sectors. Through this platform, we are enabling businesses to showcase their offerings while also connecting with customers, partners and other stakeholders,” she said.
Mphepo-Hiwa said SMEs remain a major source of jobs and economic growth, adding that the bank continues supporting the sector through tailored financial products and capacity-building programmes.
“As a Bank, we recognise that SMEs are the backbone of the economy. By bringing them closer to the public through initiatives such as this expo, we are fostering entrepreneurship, promoting inclusion, and supporting sustainable business growth,” she said.
Last year, NBM plc held a similar SME Expo in Lilongwe after engaging small businesses across the country throughout June to mark MSME Day.
