By Benjamin Maona, contributor
National Bank of Malawi (NBM) has called on small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to prioritise job creation as they expand their operations.
NBM Head of Treasury and Investment Banking Harry Mukaka made the appeal recently during a tour of ZAMM Investments and Shoe Rubber in Lilongwe as part of NBM’s SME Month activities.
ZAMM Investments has employed 300 Malawians with support from NBM for machinery procurement from China.
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“Our aim of supporting SMEs is to see them grow and contribute to the economic growth of the country, and one way of achieving that is through the creation of employment opportunities for Malawians. We are glad to see that ZAMM Investments has managed to employ 300 Malawians,” Mukaka said. The visit was part of NBM’s June SME Month programme, which saw chief executive officer Harold Jiya and other divisional heads touring SMEs across the country ahead of International SME Day on June 27.
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NBM culminated the month with an SME Day exhibition at Gateway Mall in Lilongwe on June 28, 2025, featuring 50 SMEs from across the country.
ZAMM Investments Managing Director Mohamed Tutla praised NBM for the support and the visit, saying face-to-face engagement was more valuable than phone and email communication.
He acknowledged foreign exchange challenges but commended NBM for providing opportunities when available.
“It is very important that NBM paid us a visit and appreciate what we are doing instead of just talking on the phone and emails. National Bank offered us financial services which are Sharia compliant. We were one of the first clients to be provided with this facility.
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“The struggles are there about forex but NBM gives us an opportunity when there is one,” Tutla said.
ZAMM Investments was among the SMEs that showcased their products on SME Exhibition Day, which attracted 50 enterprises from across Malawi.
The bank’s SME support programme includes Sharia-compliant financial services, with ZAMM Investments being among the first clients to access such facilities.
