The bank is the headline sponsor for the first ever Malawi Exporters Awards (MEA 2023), being organized by the Malawi Investment and Trade Centre (MITC) with an aim of contributing towards increasing exports through awareness creation, building export readiness and awarding the best exporters in several categories.

The sponsorship according to Ecobank Malawi Managing Director; Dr. Raymond Fordwuo is in line with the bank’s vision of contributing to the economic development and financial integration of Africa.

“For Malawi, increasing our  export base is critical to the economic stability and growth of our country.

“As we speak, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCTA) with its single market of almost 1.4 billion people brings about unique and immense export growth opportunities for Malawi’s SMEs and Corporates,” he said.

Fordwuo further affirmed the Bank’s commitment in facilitating export trade which he emphasized that can positively contribute to Malawi’s economy.

“At Ecobank, we are here to support all exporters to make the AfCFTA initiative a success.

Our investments in technology, innovative products and services, coupled with our wide footprint of 33 African Countries, puts us in an advantaged position to help Malawian businesses take full advantage of the trading opportunities the AfCFTA offers,” he added.

MITC Chief Executive Officer Paul Kwengwere hailed the bank for the allocation, citing it will address several areas towards the event.

“By providing this sponsorship, Ecobank has demonstrated beyond any doubt at all that it is indeed the Pan African Bank. We look forward to more partnerships with the bank in execution of its mandate of investment and trade promotion,” he said.

The two day event will bring together key stakeholders in the development sector from government institutions, development partners and the private sector, further serving as a platform to look into the contributions exports have made to Malawi’s economy.