Malawi Launches Phase Two Consumer Campaign on Lending, Credit
The Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), in collaboration with key players in the financial sector, have officially launched the second phase of the national consumer education programme aimed at deepening public awareness of credit reporting and movable asset-based lending (MABL).
The launch event, held in Blantyre, included a dedicated Media Education Workshop that brought together editors and journalists from across the country. The workshop aimed to equip media professionals with the tools and knowledge necessary to effectively communicate the benefits of credit reports, the Collateral Registry, and the use of movable assets as collateral for accessing loans.
The initiative is part of a broader financial literacy campaign to empower individuals and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) with the knowledge needed to make informed financial decisions.
Through improved understanding of Movable Asset-Based Lending and the Personal Property Security Registry (PPSR), the campaign is expected to expand access to credit, especially for entrepreneurs and small businesses who often lack traditional forms of collateral such as land and buildings.
Speaking during the workshop, Flora Shoba from the Department of the Registrar General highlighted the transformative potential of the PPSR. “The collateral registry provides transparency, prevents multiple claims on the same assets, and makes it easier for lenders to verify movable collateral. It’s a game-changer for credit access in Malawi,” she said.
Banks such as National Bank of Malawi and NBS Bank PLC also voiced their support for the initiative, citing a rise in financial products that now accept movable assets like machinery, stock, and receivables as collateral. This shift is creating new opportunities for MSMEs, which form the backbone of Malawi’s economy.
The campaign has already begun to show positive results. According to Dumisani Kadango, Country Manager for TransUnion Malawi, credit report requests rose by 35% in the first quarter of 2025. “This demonstrates that more Malawians are beginning to see the value of knowing their credit status and maintaining good credit histories,” he said.
Alfred Mtira, Marketing Officer for Credit Data CRB, reported a 48.4% increase in consumer credit report queries from Q1 2024 to Q1 2025. “It’s encouraging to see this level of engagement,” he noted. “As we continue with phase two, we aim to further educate consumers on how the collateral registry and MABL can unlock financial potential for individuals and businesses alike.”
