Author Tendai Shaba has held a book signing event in Lilongwe, bringing together prominent figures and book enthusiasts, marking the domestic launch of his latest novel, "How to Make Money Grow on Trees".

The event drew a diverse crowd of corporate heads, NGO directors, entrepreneurs, and businesspeople, all united by an interest in promoting financial literacy.

Notable attendees included Lucy Mwangi, Concern Worldwide Malawi Country Director, and Dr. Eluphy Nyirenda, Country Director of Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) Malawi.

How to Make Money Grow on Trees blends entertainment with education to offer practical lessons in financial literacy, personal finance, and financial inclusion from an African perspective.

The novel, set in postcolonial Malawi in 1995, uses culturally grounded analogies to tackle complex financial issues like budgeting, saving, investing, and debt management.

According to Shaba, the novel is designed to "educate and entertain while also teaching Malawians some good financial knowledge."

Shaba, an established writer with previous titles such as "Moments to Cherish" (2020), "A Lady in a Yellow Dress" (2023), and "Living with the Wildflowers" (2024), views storytelling as a powerful tool to address critical issues.

The book signing event has introduced his work to new readers and strengthened his reader network, he said, adding: "It was great to meet and connect with fellow book lovers."

The novel has seen significant sales, with over 500-1000 copies sold in Malawi, predominantly in Lilongwe and Blantyre, and also in other districts such as Dwangwa, Liwonde, Nsanje, Phalombe, Mzimba, and Karonga, he told Zodiak Online.

Shaba expressed his ambition to make the novel a standard reference for knowledge in personal finance, financial inclusion, and financial literacy with the worldwide launch set for July 28.

With only a third of Malawian adults using formal financial services, the book emphasizes broad access to financial tools, mobile banking, and community empowerment—especially for farmers, women, and small business owners.

It also explores how emotions and cultural beliefs shape our financial habits, offering practical strategies to break limiting patterns.