Tuesday, May 5, 2026
No menu items!
spot_img
Home Blog Page 131

NBM plc’s Akossa Hiwa named Africa’s top 100 corporate communications leaders

247Malawi
-
0
NBM plc’s Akossa Hiwa named Africa’s top 100 corporate communications leaders

By Linda Kwanjana

National Bank of Malawi (NBM) plc’s Marketing and Corporate Affairs Manager, Akossa Hiwa, has been recognised among the Top 100 Corporate Communications Leaders in Africa by Africa PR Week, as announced this week through their website and LinkedIn Platform.

Africa Global PR Week, headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, serves as a pan-African platform that brings together public relations, media, branding, and communications professionals, alongside stakeholders from government, business, and academia, to shape conversations on the present and future of public relations in Africa.

Hiwa



The recognition places Hiwa among Africa’s leading corporate communications professionals who actively shape institutional reputation, navigate complex communication environments, and build trust across markets through strategic, ethical, and impactful engagement.

According to Africa PR Week, the Top 100 list recognises communications leaders whose work, often carried out behind the scenes, plays a vital role in shaping institutions and strengthening public trust across the continent.

“This recognition honours corporate communications leaders who shape reputation, lead with clarity, and build trust across Africa’s diverse markets. Their work moves industries, influences narratives, and strengthens institutions, positioning Africa as a powerful voice in global communications,” reads the statement.

Commenting on the recognition, Hiwa described the honour as both humbling and affirming, noting that it reflects strong leadership and collective institutional effort.

“I am deeply honoured to be recognised among Africa’s Top 100 Corporate Communications Leaders. This recognition speaks not only to my journey, but to the strength of the team I work with at NBM plc, the trust placed in us by leadership, and our shared commitment to using strategic communication to build credibility, inspire confidence, and drive meaningful impact,” said Hiwa.

Hiwa’s continental recognition builds on a series of recent national accolades that have cemented her standing as one of Malawi’s leading communications professionals.

She recently received the Public Relations Practitioner of the Year (Corporate Sector) award from the Public Relations Society of Malawi (PRSM) and the PR Personality of the Year award at the Institute of Marketing in Malawi (IMM) Excellence Awards, both presented in Malawi.

Malawi commemorates 2026 Chilembwe Day

247Malawi
-
0
Malawi commemorates 2026 Chilembwe Day


By Vincent Gunde

Malawians across the country and in the Diaspora are celebrating 15th January, 2026 Reverend John Chilembwe Day in the spirit of embracing God for national transformation and the return to proven leadership.

As they are celebrating Chilembwe Day, they are honoring Chilembwe’s courage, sacrifice, and unwavering resolve and all those who stood for dignity, justice and a better future for the country observing that Chilembwe’s legacy reminds them that progress is never achieved without resilience, unity, and a clear sense of purpose values.

Speaking during Chilembwe Day in Chiladzulu on Thursday, Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Decentralization Dr. Joseph Mathyola Mwanamvekha, said government remains firmly committed to placing the welfare of Malawians at the centre of all policy decisions guided by the values of sacrifice, responsibility, and national unity that Chilelmbwe embodied.

Mwanamveka



Mwanamvekha said today, Malawi is facing challenging economic conditions saying the economy has been under pressure from a combination of global and domestic shocks, including high inflation, foreign exchange constraints, climate- related disruptions, and rising cost of living.

He said these challenges have affected households and businesses alike saying government remains resolute in steering the country towards recovery, stability, and inclusive growth observing that transformation begins with the renewal of the citizens’ minds.

The Finance Minister said the change of mindset is the beginning of national transformation urging all Malawians to change the way they think and doing things for the country to change saying it takes courage to change a country, change is never always welcome- that is why Chilembwe faced resistance and got killed.

He said the current administration since September, 2025 after taking the office, is taking deliberate and practical steps to improve the lives of Malawians saying it is working tirelessly to stabilize the economy and ensure the availability of essential commodities that underpin livelihoods and economic activity.

Mwanamvekha said Government has taken decisive and concrete steps towards economic recovery and these efforts are already yielding tangible results as evidenced in the stabilization of fuel supplies, and reduction in the prices of maize from K100,000 to below K50,000 per 50 Kilogram bag.

“There is availability of essential medicines in public hospitals that were previously in short supply,’ he said.

He said Government has ensured the construction of key infrastructure development projects across the country by reducing prices of key construction inputs such as cement and other essential goods saying all this is proving that proven leadership has come to stay in Malawi.

ESCOM moves to end load shedding, BESS Project takes shape

247Malawi
-
0
ESCOM moves to end load shedding, BESS Project takes shape

By Linda Kwanjana

The Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM) announced a major leap in the country’s energy modernization with the delivery of 12 primary Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) containers to the Kanengo project site in Lilongwe.

Arriving on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, the 20-megawatt units are the centerpiece of a USD 20.245 million initiative funded by the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP) aimed at stabilizing the national power grid and drastically reducing load shedding across the country.

The delivery keeps the high-priority project firmly on schedule for its February 2026 commissioning deadline, moving the nation from the design phase of its energy evolution into a physical reality.



Once operational, the system will function as a massive power reservoir that stores energy during low-demand hours to be discharged during peak evening periods, directly addressing the shortfall that currently necessitates rolling blackouts.

Beyond simple storage, the BESS units are designed to serve as a critical “shock absorber” for the national infrastructure by providing near-instantaneous frequency regulation to prevent equipment damage and blackouts.

This capability is essential for the integration of renewable energy sources, as the batteries will smooth out the inherent fluctuations of solar power caused by clouds or sunset, ensuring that the transition to greener energy does not come at the cost of reliability.

ESCOM Acting Chief Executive Officer Eng. Sinosi Maliano hailed the arrival as “the physical manifestation of ESCOM’s commitment to a resilient grid for all Malawians”.

He noted that the arrival of these containers marks the beginning of a journey toward the delivery of stable power to customers, transitioning the country’s energy infrastructure into a modernized, 21st-century system.

With a total capacity of 30 megawatt-hours, the Kanengo facility represents one of the most significant investments in Malawi’s power stability to date.

As engineers begin the final installation phase, the project remains a cornerstone of the government’s strategy to foster economic growth through a reliable and consistent electricity supply.

Call it FDH Bank Premiership!

247Malawi
-
0
Call it FDH Bank Premiership!

FDH Bank plc takes over Super League with K5 billion sponsorship

By Our Contributor

FDH Bank plc has officially taken over sponsorship of Malawi’s top-flight football league with a landmark K5 billion deal that will run for five years, marking a new era for elite football in the country.

Under the agreement, the Bank will inject K1 billion per season into the league, which will now be called the FDH Bank Premiership.

The historic sponsorship was unveiled on Wednesday evening at Mount Soche Hotel in Blantyre, where FDH Bank plc Managing Director, Noel Mkulichi, described the partnership as a bold commitment to transforming football in Malawi both on and off the pitch.


“For the first time in the history of Malawian football, the sponsorship package includes a K100 million dedicated player welfare revolving fund, designed to allow players to access loans throughout the season to support various aspects of their personal and professional development. The initiative demonstrates FDH Bank’s commitment to growing football beyond match results and league tables.”

“This attests to FDH Bank’s commitment to grow football beyond the pitch, to allow players to progress at a personal level,” said Mkulichi.

He further highlighted that this is a boost to player welfare.

“FDH Bank will also register all squad players—up to a maximum of 30 per club participating in the FDH Bank Premiership—under the FDH Basic Life Plan for the 2026 season. The life cover provides K300,000 towards funeral expenses if a covered loved one passes away. The intervention underscores the bank’s holistic approach to supporting football in Malawi,” said Mkulichi.

Super League of Malawi (SULOM) President, Brigadier General Gilbert Mittawa, hailed the sponsorship as a transformative moment for the league, describing it as more than just a financial injection.

“This partnership is not merely a financial commitment; it is a powerful statement of belief in Malawian football, belief in our clubs, belief in our players, and belief in the future of our elite league. It airlifts our agenda to revive, reform and rebrand the league beyond the horizon,” said Mittawa.

He highlighted that amid global sports’ financial and structural issues, FDH Bank’s investment in football shows leadership, patriotism, and commitment to Malawi’s development.

“The Premiership remains the heartbeat of Malawian football, serving as a platform for talent discovery, community unity, and international exposure,” said Mittawa.

Guest of Honour and Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, Patricia Wiskes, described the sponsorship as a watershed moment for sports development in the country.

“We are deeply grateful to FDH Bank for this support, which stands as the single largest contribution we have received from the private sector. This is truly a landmark commitment. We are confident that this sponsorship will significantly transform sports in Malawi by elevating the Super League, improving the professionalism of our clubs, enhancing the welfare of our athletes, and ultimately uplifting football across the country,” said Wiskes.

The FDH Bank Premiership sponsorship brings to a close an 18-year era under TNM plc, which most recently sponsored the league with K500 million over the last two seasons.

VP Ansah returns home: Malawi’s leadership takes center stage

247Malawi
-
0
VP Ansah returns home: Malawi’s leadership takes center stage

By Burnett Munthali

In a significant development, Vice President Dr. Jane Ansah has returned to Malawi.

Dr. Ansah’s arrival at Kamuzu International Airport yesterday afternoon marked her return from a private visit to the UK.

She was welcomed by a high-profile reception committee, including Minister of Justice Charles Mhango and Presidential Advisor David Kambalame.

Ansah being welcomed home



The Vice President’s return underscores her prominence in Malawi’s political landscape.

Her wealth of experience and expertise is expected to shape the nation’s future.

With a distinguished career spanning roles as Attorney General, Supreme Court Justice, and Chairperson of the Malawi Electoral Commission, Dr. Ansah brings a unique perspective to her new role.

Since taking office in October 2025, Dr. Ansah has made notable strides in disaster response, food security, digital development, and regional diplomacy.

Her leadership approach is built on faith, justice, and a commitment to national service.

“Dr. Ansah’s return is a boost to Malawi’s leadership, and her contributions are eagerly anticipated,” observers note.

As Malawi navigates its path forward, Dr. Ansah’s leadership will play a crucial role in shaping the nation’s future.

Her vision for inclusive growth and development is expected to drive positive change.

1...130131132...2,325Page 131 of 2,325

EDITOR PICKS

POPULAR POSTS

POPULAR CATEGORY

ABOUT US

True and well researched news covering key issues in Malawi and abroad

Contact us: info@247malawi.com

FOLLOW US

© Newspaper WordPress Theme by TagDiv