NBS Bank has pledged K5 billion over the next five years to support hygiene and sanitation programmes under First Lady Gertrude Mutharika’s Beautify Malawi (Beam) Trust 2026–2030 Strategic Plan.
The commitment was formalised in a memorandum of understanding during the strategy launch at Kamuzu Palace on Friday, an event attended by President Peter Mutharika.
NBS Bank chief executive Temwani Simwaka said the partnership reflects a growing commitment to sustainable water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) initiatives.
The funding will support practical, scalable interventions, including a nationwide, school‑based NextGen Hygiene Campaign to promote preventive sanitation practices among primary‑school learners.
President Mutharika reaffirmed his administration’s support for collaboration between government, NGOs and the private sector, describing such partnerships as central to Malawi’s development agenda under Malawi 2063.
“I encourage more NGOs to partner with government in delivering essential services. Together, we can turn our vision of becoming an upper‑middle‑income country by 2063 into a reality,” he said, stressing that transparency and accountability among NGOs are essential to build public trust and attract development partners.
The President also directed public and private institutions to ensure markets, bus depots and workplaces are equipped with proper waste‑disposal facilities. He condemned littering and vandalism of sanitation infrastructure and warned that offenders would face prosecution.
“There should be no excuse for littering or dumping waste anyhow. I will not tolerate vandalism of these facilities. Those found will be prosecuted,” he said.
First Lady Mutharika said the strategic plan places health, sanitation and hygiene at the centre of efforts to reduce preventable diseases, maternal and neonatal mortality, and child deaths linked to poor hygiene.
“It is sad that we are still experiencing high child mortality due to hygiene and sanitation illnesses. Together as a nation, we need to reverse this trend,” she said, outlining Beam’s focus on practical, scalable interventions such as the NextGen Hygiene Campaign.
Donors at the launch included FDH Bank, which contributed K300 million; the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Malawi, which gave K40 million; and the Muslim World League (MWL), which donated K25 million to the Beam Trust.
