Saturday, June 21, 2025
No menu items!
spot_img
Home Blog Page 17

Best Digital Bank award excites NBM plc

0

By Linda Kwanjana

National Bank of Malawi (NBM) plc says it is excited to retain the Best Digital Bank award for the third consecutive year in its quest to offer meaningful, accessible, and inclusive financial solutions to Malawians.

The Bank’s mobile banking platform, Mo626 Digital+ was named Best Digital Banking Solution at this year’s ICT Association of Malawi (ICTAM) Corporate Awards at the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe.



NBM plc Head of Digital Financial Services, William Kaunda, said the Bank is both honoured and challenged by the recognition.

“To be recognised at national level for the third time in a row has really excited us. It affirms that the Bank is effectively leveraging the digital environment to deliver value to customers and communities,” explained Kaunda.

He said the recognition is also a call for the Bank to raise the bar in delivering digital services that meet customer needs.

“The award has cemented our deserved position of being the best Bank in the digital space, and that challenges us to come up with further innovations that address customers’ needs so that they can continue to enjoy the best from the best,” said Kaunda.

Kaunda attributed the platform’s success to its user-friendly design, wide range of services, and focus on community relevance.

“We believe that the ease of use, the richness of the service portfolio, and a design grounded in community needs propelled us to this position. Our platforms are deeply entrenched in our communities and promote both digital and financial inclusion,” he added.

At the event, NBM plc also received a Certificate of Recognition for its contribution to the country’s ICT ecosystem.

The certificate highlights the Bank’s consistent participation, active leadership, and commitment to sustainable digital growth.

Other awards included ICT firm of the year given to PayChangu, Old Mutual was named the best in Digital Insurance, while the Internet Connectivity Award went to TNM.

Digital Public Service Award was given to Msonkho Online by Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA), while Airtel Money was the best e-commerce Platform of the Year.

NBM plc supports Digital Finance Association launch with K5 Million

0

By Linda Kwanjana



National Bank of Malawi (NBM) plc has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing digital financial services in the country by donating K5 million to the Association of Digital Finance Services (ADFS).

Speaking in Lilongwe during a symbolic cheque presentation, NBM plc Card Services Manager, Stewart Tepelunde said the sector plays a pivotal role in the ongoing digitalisation of financial systems and the donation is meant to facilitate the official launch of the association, scheduled for 19 June this year.


“For some time now, digital finance has operated in isolation. The formation of this association is a significant step towards fostering collaboration and innovation in the sector,” said Tepelunde.

He added that the association will be instrumental in addressing key challenges such as fraud, low literacy levels, and lack of awareness, factors that continue to hinder the growth of digital financial services in Malawi.


“As a Bank, we felt it was important to contribute to the establishment of this association. We believe it will strengthen the digital finance landscape in the country,” said Tepelunde.

ADFS Executive Member, Bram Fudzulani expressed gratitude for NBM plc’s support and highlighted the importance of the new association in uniting stakeholders across the digital finance ecosystem.

“We are excited to partner with National Bank. This association aims to serve as a platform that brings together all key players in the digital and financial space. We believe it will help streamline and address various customer concerns that have been fragmented across the sector,” explained Fudzulani.



Fudzulani said the Association has budgeted for K30 million to cater for the launch needs.

NBM Plc Unveils K1.5 billion sports sponsorship

0

By Linda Kwanjana

In a historic move that promises to transform Malawi’s sports landscape, National Bank of Malawi (NBM) Plc has unveiled a K1.5 billion year-long sponsorship package aimed at promoting women’s football, tertiary education sports, and grassroots football development.

During the grand unveiling at the Hanging Gardens at NBM Towers in Blantyre on Wednesday evening, NBM plc Chief Executive Officer Harold Jiya declared the Bank’s unwavering commitment to sports as a tool for social transformation, inclusivity, and youth empowerment.

Haiya and Jiya



“This sponsorship is more than a financial investment; it is a bold declaration of our belief in the power of sports to unite, empower, and develop the nation. Through this initiative, we are reaching all corners of Malawi—from university campuses to rural football pitches.”

“The K1.5 billion sponsorship is divided across three core areas: K450 million has been allocated to the Tertiary Education Schools Sports Association of Malawi (TESSAM), supporting basketball, football, and netball within Malawi’s universities and colleges. K430 million will support the National Women’s Football League, including the Scorchers, Malawi’s national women’s football team. K500 million goes to the newly launched Mo626 Division 1 Football League, covering all four football regional associations. An additional K138 million is reserved for branding and activation activities,” said Jiya.

Highlighting gender equality, Jiya underscored NBM plc’s mission to empower women through sport, particularly football, a field that has historically faced challenges in securing funding.

“NBM plc stands for gender inclusivity. Women’s sports deserve the same recognition and support as men’s, and we are proud to walk this talk. Sports instil discipline, resilience, and teamwork—all values that reflect the spirit of our Bank,” he said.

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) President Fleetwood Haiya commended NBM Plc for intervening where many others have not, highlighting how the sponsorship aligns with FAM’s strategic priorities.

“This is historic. Women’s football and grassroots sports have long been neglected by sponsors. Today, NBM plc has changed that narrative. We are grateful, and we call upon all stakeholders to handle this sponsorship with the utmost transparency and accountability,” said Haiya.

He pointed out the significance of balanced support: “You can see the equity in the distribution—almost a 50-50 split between men’s and women’s football. That’s powerful.”

TESSAM President Lameck Zetu Khonje expressed excitement on behalf of Malawi’s tertiary institutions.

“This is a milestone for us. We are grateful that the Bank recognizes the role sports play in shaping young people’s futures. The K450 million investment in college sports will help student-athletes excel in both their academic and sporting careers. Many of these young men and women are immensely talented. With this support, they no longer have to choose between books and balls—they can chase both dreams,” said Khonje.

JCE Exams a Success: MoBSE Praises Maneb for Flawless Administration

0

By Andrew Mwanandiye Tembo

Minister of Basic and Secondary Education, Madalitso Kambauwa Wirima, has applauded Maneb officials and others for the excellent handling of this year’s Junior Certificate of Education (JCE) examinations.

Wirima confirmed this in Lilongwe on the completion of the exam, citing that her ministry has not received any complaints regarding the administration of the exams.



She further stated that the government has allocated sufficient resources for exam markers, thereby preventing potential strikes over allowances among teachers.

The minister also urged teachers, students planning to sit for the Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE), and planners to draw valuable lessons from the JCE examinations to ensure a smooth and successful MSCE examination period.

The Malawi National Examinations Board administered the exams from June 3 to June 12, 2025.

Elon Musk unveils Tesla Smart TV 2025 with groundbreaking features that redefine home entertainment

By Burnett Munthali

In a thrilling reveal that has stirred excitement across the tech world, Elon Musk has officially unveiled the Tesla Smart TV 2025, a futuristic innovation that promises to revolutionize home entertainment.

The Tesla CEO, known for his audacious ventures in electric vehicles, space travel, and artificial intelligence, has now set his sights on transforming the living room.

During the launch event streamed live to millions of viewers worldwide, Musk described the new Tesla Smart TV as “the most intelligent and immersive screen experience ever created.”



At first glance, the Tesla Smart TV 2025 boasts a sleek, frameless design, embodying minimalism while enhancing its futuristic aesthetic.

Under the hood, however, lies a powerhouse of intelligent technology that goes far beyond traditional television expectations.

The Smart TV is powered by Tesla’s proprietary AI chipset, adapted from its self-driving vehicle systems, allowing it to learn user preferences, recommend content proactively, and even adjust settings dynamically based on environmental cues.

Among its standout features is NeuralVision™, a Tesla-exclusive technology that uses AI to upscale content to 16K resolution in real time, offering breathtaking clarity never before seen on consumer displays.

In addition to its visual prowess, the TV comes equipped with ImmersiSound™, a 360-degree spatial audio system developed in partnership with SpaceX acoustics engineers.

Tesla’s voice assistant, Optimus Voice, takes center stage in interactivity, allowing users to control every aspect of their smart home, browse the internet, and stream content using natural, conversational language.

What sets the Tesla Smart TV apart even further is its integration with Tesla’s broader ecosystem—users can check the status of their Tesla cars, view live footage from Starlink satellites, and even attend virtual meetings in full holographic mode.

Musk also introduced the TV’s unique Gaming Reactor Core™, an onboard gaming engine capable of rendering AAA games natively without the need for an external console.

Gamers and content creators will be pleased to learn that the TV includes built-in VR and AR compatibility, effectively turning any room into an interactive media studio.

One of the most talked-about features is the Smart Sleep Mode, which gradually dims the screen, synchronizes with the user’s circadian rhythm, and even plays neural-synchronized sleep music composed by Tesla’s AI.

In terms of connectivity, the Tesla Smart TV 2025 offers Starlink streaming, 6G compatibility, and TeslaMesh™, which allows seamless syncing with all Tesla devices in the home or vehicle.

The TV runs on TeslaOS 3.0, a redesigned operating system featuring a smooth, holographic interface and direct access to Tesla’s growing digital marketplace.

In a bold move, Musk announced that every Tesla Smart TV would come with lifetime updates and sustainability guarantees, including solar-powered backup energy options.

Critics and enthusiasts alike have hailed the unveiling as a game-changer, noting how Tesla continues to blur the lines between technology, convenience, and lifestyle.

With pre-orders opening immediately after the announcement, anticipation is sky-high for what could be Tesla’s most surprising innovation yet.

Elon Musk ended the presentation with a characteristically bold statement: “Why just watch the future, when you can live in it?”

The Tesla Smart TV 2025 is more than a screen—it’s a portal into the next era of connected, intelligent living.