Malawi: EIB partners with FDH Bank to expand private sector financing and confirms new agriculture investment scheme
- Nov 11, 2019
The EIB and FDH Bank today formally agreed their first loan agreement that will support private sector investment across Malawi. Entrepreneurs and private business across the country will benefit from a new EUR 7 million credit line managed by the leading local financial services provider and backed a EUR 3.5 million loan from the long-term lending institution of the European Union. Plans for a pioneering financing programme to promote sustainable agriculture investment across Malawi have also been confirmed.
- Private sector investment across Malawi to benefit from new EUR 7 million lending programme
- FDH Bank agree first joint credit line with European Investment Bank
- First partnership with EIB agreed at Africa Investment Forum
- EIB confirms new scheme to transform agricultural investment in Malawi
The European Investment Bank and FDH Bank today formally agreed their first loan agreement that will support private sector investment across Malawi. Entrepreneurs and private business across the country will benefit from a new EUR 7 million credit line managed by the leading local financial services provider and backed a EUR 3.5 million loan from the long-term lending institution of the European Union. Plans for a pioneering financing programme to promote sustainable agriculture investment across Malawi have also been confirmed.
The EUR 3.5 million European Investment Bank loan to support the FDH Bank credit line was formally signed at the Africa Investment Forum in Johannesburg by Ambroise Fayolle, European Investment Bank Vice President and Patricia Hamisi, Senior Manager Treasury and Trade Finance at FDH Bank.
“Ensuring access to finance by small business and agriculture are key for economic growth, job creation and sustainable development across Africa. The European Investment Bank is committed to supporting private sector investment in Malawi and pleased to agree our first joint lending programme with FDH Bank that is available from today. Looking ahead I can confirm that early next year we will launch an innovative initiative to tackle barriers holding back agricultural investment in Malawi and that has already been recognised as a model for high-impact private sector financing elsewhere in Africa.” said Ambroise Fayolle, European Investment Bank Vice President.
“The European Investment Bank has a unique technical and financial experience of supporting private sector investment across Africa and worldwide. FDH Bank is pleased to partner with the EIB to strengthen financing for business and entrepreneurial investment across Malawi. The EUR 3.5 million EIB support for the new EUR 7 million credit line demonstrates a vote of confidence for FDH and Malawi. We look forward to expanding our cooperation to benefit small holders, agriculture and agribusiness in rural districts across our country under a new scheme to be launched next year.” said Thomson Mpinganjira, Executive board member and Managing Director of FDH Bank Limited.
Ensuring access to finance for sustainable development
The new EUR 7 million credit line will support new private sector investment across a range of sectors and be provided through the FDH Branch network across Malawi.
The new Malawi credit line is part of a EUR 100 million private sector financing programme across Southern Africa supported by the European Investment Bank.
Kulima initiative to transform agriculture and smallholder investment confirmed
Economic opportunities for thousands of small holders across Malawi are expected to be transformed under a new initiative to ensure dedicated support for long-term investment by agriculture companies in the country.
FDH Bank has been selected as the first bank in Malawi that will finance smallholder, agriculture and agribusiness investment under a new scheme that is currently being finalised and expected to be launched early next year. Other financial institutions are expected to join later.
The new Kulima programme will help agriculture companies to modernise and harness the full economic, employment and export potential of agriculture as well as expand business with local smallholders. The new agriculture financing initiative will address the gap of long-term funding in the agricultural sector identified as a key barrier to economic growth in Malawi.
European Union support for agricultural and sustainable development in Malawi
The agricultural financing scheme has been designed to tackle specific investment gaps currently hindering expansion in the sector. This is part of a broader European Commission programme to promote farming in Malawi and promote sustainable agricultural growth.
This is expected to strengthen agriculture in Malawi and increase income, employment and food security in the context of a changing climate.
Unlocking long-term investment to strengthen agriculture across Malawi
Agriculture is the leading source of economic activity, employment and exports in Malawi. Agriculture contributes directly and indirectly to 65% of all jobs in the country.
The new initiative is designed to increase investment activity by agricultural companies and by making available funding in Malawi Kwacha will mitigate against exposure to foreign exchange risks that currently hinder agriculture investment.
Improving specialist banking support for agriculture in Malawi
The impact of the new Kulima Agriculture Value Chain Facility will be strengthened by a dedicated technical assistance programme.
This will improve financial assessment and monitoring of long-term agriculture investment by local banks.