Bold, Bankable, and Breaking Barriers

In a celebration of resilience and innovation, more than 500 women entrepreneurs convened in Malawi’s largest cities in April 2025 for the Bold and Bankable event- a collaboration between NBS Bank and UN Women Malawi. This event, part of a three-city series, highlighted the leadership of women in business while addressing the systemic barriers that hinder their growth.

Under the theme, #AccelerateAction for the 2025 International Women’s Day, the events were more than just celebration of women in business; they served as a call for action. Keynote speakers, including NBS Bank CEO Temwani Simwaka and UN Women Representative Letty Chiwara, emphasized the pressing need for financial reforms to unlock women’s economic potential.

The event showcased inspiring success stories, such as the Machisosa Women’s Cooperative in Lilongwe, which transformed an MWK 26,000 loan into a flourishing soybean enterprise, uplifting 15,000 women in their community. Another standout was Kwanza Cocoa, owned by Wezi Mzumara, Malawi’s only craft-chocolate maker, who is not only establishing a business but also empowering women by providing cocoa seedlings and opportunities.

“This is not charity—it’s strategy,” asserted Chiwara. “When you empower a woman’s business, you change the destiny of her family, her community, and ultimately, this nation.”

However, despite these achievements, challenges remain. Women entrepreneurs continue to encounter limited access to credit, markets, and training. Many expressed their frustrations regarding inflexible loan conditions that do not correspond with agricultural cycles. 

The interactive "table chats" at the event provided actionable insights. Women advocated for customized financial products, including flexible repayment schedules linked to harvests, as well as digital tools aimed at reaching rural entrepreneurs. The necessity for capacity-building programs to enhance business skills was highlighted, along with the need for grants, rather than solely loans, to assist women-led enterprises in expanding. NBS Bank acknowledged this. "We are dedicated to breaking down barriers," stated Simwaka. "This feedback will inform our future actions." She said.

 The Bold and Bankable initiative did not end with speeches and networking, it sparked momentum. In the aftermath of the events, NBS and UN Women are collaborating to develop strategies for gender-responsive banking solutions, particularly for women in rural areas who are often left behind. Simultaneously, media coverage amplified the voices of women entrepreneurs, pushing the conversation to a national level. 

As the last event ended, one question remained in the atmosphere: Will Malawi’s financial sector rise to meet the challenge? The women have spoken, their voices clear and their demands undeniable—access, equity, and opportunity.