In the heat of misfortunes, women have repeatedly demonstrated strong resilience.
However, their tenacity transforms into unstoppable momentum with the right support.
Layka Thakwalakwa, from Nchalo Trading Centre in Chikwawa District, is an ambitious agri-business entrepreneur. However, in March 2023, Cyclone Freddy wiped out her livestock.
The storm left her in despair, with her business at risk of collapsing.
“I felt like my world was crumbling around me,” she says. I had invested so much, but with the cyclone, everything was gone. I didn’t know how to rebuild.”
However, she is back on the rise with support from the National Bank of Malawi.
She narrates: “In 2023, l applied for a K4 million loan which helped me rebuild my business.
“After paying back, I got another K7 million loan which has boosted my business. Now, l supply my goods to several supermarkets across the Southern Region.”
Thakwalakwa has purchased machinery for processing honey and rice.
Her business employs 12 people.
Similarly, Grace Mlanga borrowed K2 million to power her switch from an online clothing business to agriculture.
She now supplies maize, beans and other legumes to secondary schools.
“The online business was slow, so I had to make the switch. However, I needed capital to switch into the rapidly growing market,” she says.
With the financial boost, she no longer struggles to meet her customers’ demand.
Mlanga says the loan has transformed her business, keeping schools supplied with healthy and nutritious food.
“I’m feeding the future generation while making profits,” she says. “I never thought I would be here today. I’m proud of what I have built. None of this would have been possible without the bank’s support,” says Mlanga.
Grace Kalidozo obtained a K2 million loan which helped her migrate from selling electronics to maize grain and flour for faster returns.
She says the NBM’s Amai Angathe loan helped her expand her business.
“The loan allowed me to add another layer to my business model,” she says.
After repaying the first loan, Kalidozo’s business surged. The same year, she upgraded to a K5 million loan. By 2024, she was granted another K7 million to scale up maize production and distribution.
“With the additional loans, I was able to expand my stock and reach a larger customer base. My business is on the right path,” she says.
In Blantyre’s Chilobwe Township, Gloria Unyolo is on the rise.
The one-time seller of second-hand clothing now owns Gracious Private Academy—and she is dreaming big.
The academy required a financial boost for better infrastructure, more staff members, and additional learning materials to accommodate more students.
These growing demands prompted her to obtain a K5 million from Amai Angathe’ loan from National Bank.
“I repaid the loan quickly, which enabled me to apply for a second loan worth K7 million,” she says.
With the loan, Unyolo constructed classroom blocks and stopped borrowing money from friends, who demanded their money back within 30 days.
“Now I can get a loan and pay little by little while my projects are progressing,” she explains.
NBM Plc marketing and corporate affairs manager Akossa Hiwa says the bank is committed to supporting women in business.
“We believe that empowering women is the key to fostering sustainable growth and development,” says Hiwa.
The ‘Amai Angathe’ loan was created to provide women with the financial support they need to realise their full potential in line with this year’s International Women’s Day theme: Accelerating Action.
Hiwa says the bank’s focus is on creating opportunities for women to succeed in business.
“We are happy with the impact that this service has had on the lives of entrepreneurs,” she states. “These women are not just building businesses. They are also creating jobs and driving economic growth,” she explains.
