Old Mutual Malawi says responsible business goes beyond making profits, with the financial services group investing in agriculture, infrastructure, education and environmental protection to support Malawi’s long-term development.
Speaking during the launch of its 2025 Sustainability Report in Lilongwe, Group Chief Executive Officer Tavona Biza said the company’s approach was centred on creating shared value and driving sustainable transformation.
“Responsible business is embedded in how we create value for customers, communities and society,” said Biza.
Against this background, Strategy, Digital and Data Executive Lorraine Mlenga said the company contributed more than K50 billion to government through taxes in 2025, while also investing heavily in agriculture through the Ulimi Fund, Gala Macademia Farm and Jacoma Estates in Northern Malawi.
“For us, if Malawians are not economically active, if they are not able to meet their needs, it means that as a business we cannot drive our agenda,” said Mlenga.
Beyond the financial contribution, Mlenga said the investments were aimed at creating jobs and sustaining livelihoods, particularly in agriculture, which remains central to Malawi’s development agenda.
This approach has also extended to communities affected by disasters. CARE Malawi Chief of Party Archibald Chikavanga said a partnership with Old Mutual helped communities recover from Cyclone Freddy, particularly through education infrastructure.
“We constructed classroom blocks that had been completely destroyed and rehabilitated others. We also provided furniture and teacher housing with Old Mutual partnership,” said Chikavanga.
Meanwhile, Executive Director of the Coordination Union for the Rehabilitation of the Environment Charles Mkoka said financial institutions play an important role in supporting sustainable development.
“Financial institutions such as Old Mutual can play an important role in supporting Malawi’s social development trajectory because they can mobilise financial resources, promote investment, strengthen household resilience and support sustainable livelihoods,” he said.
At the same time, Old Mutual says its environmental efforts include planting 90,000 trees since 2017, with a 69 percent survival rate, alongside investments in education, vocational training and communities affected by disasters.
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