Small & Medium Enterprises Development Institute

We are excited to invite you to our upcoming Women’s Business Breakfast, where we will explore empowering strategies to thrive in the business world. This is a unique opportunity to connect with fellow women entrepreneurs, gain valuable insights, and enhance your leadership skills. To confirm your attendance, please fill out the registration form using the link below. We look forward to seeing you there! https://lnkd.in/drh-C4KC 

Empowering Malawi's Youth Entrepreneurs: A Success Story of the BA4Y Project In the heart of Malawi's Zomba and Mangochi districts, a new wave of entrepreneurial success is unfolding, driven by the USAID-funded Business Acceleration for Youth Project (BA4Y). This initiative, implemented by the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) and the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Institute (SMEDI), is transforming the dreams of young entrepreneurs into thriving businesses. One such entrepreneur is Chipiliro Mpumira from Zomba Malosa, who, with BA4Y's support, overcame challenges in her banana farming venture. A grant and targeted training enabled her to expand her farm, boosting production and setting her on a path to success. Similarly, Thokozani Nkhambure from Zomba transitioned from a fresh vegetable seller to a successful fish farmer, expanding her business with additional ponds and strategic planning skills gained from BA4Y. Rita Kumweda from Zomba, who runs Para Enterprise, is another shining example. With BA4Y's grant, she established a mushroom farm that now supplies major shops with daily harvests. In Mangochi, Chisomo Chimkondenji applied her BA4Y training to establish Historic Academy, a nursery school that has expanded its reach through effective record-keeping and social media outreach. Bee farmer Rashion Nikisi from Mangochi also benefited from BA4Y, using the grant to purchase essential materials for honey processing, overcoming obstacles that previously hindered his progress. These stories are part of a larger narrative involving 74 participants trained in business development, with 40 receiving grants of up to MWK 4.2 million. The BA4Y project aligns with Malawi's 2063 vision of becoming an industrialized upper-middle-income country, emphasizing inclusive wealth creation and sustainable economic growth. As these SMEs flourish, they contribute not only to their communities but also to the broader economic transformation of Malawi. Their resilience, combined with strategic support, showcases the power of youth entrepreneurship in driving national development. #YouthEmpowerment #Entrepreneurship #USAID #BA4Y #SMEs #EconomicGrowth #Malawi2063 #SustainableDevelopment #Innovation #BusinessSuccess

Joint Supervision Visit with the Ministry of Finance and FInES Project Team Today, SMEDI proudly hosted the Ministry of Finance alongside the FInES project team for a joint supervision visit. This initiative aims to appreciate and understand the progress made in the Financial Inclusion and Entrepreneurship Scaling (FInES) Project, a five-year Government of Malawi project funded by the World Bank and implemented by the Reserve Bank of Malawi under the Project Implementation Unit (PIU). Our CEO highlighted several significant benefits from the FInES project, including: -Capacity Building: Enhancing staff skills across various domains. -SME Bill: Now in the final drafting phase. -Digitization: Creation of an SME database for streamlined information management. -ICT Material Procurement: Improving work delivery with advanced technology. -Benchmarking Visits: Gaining insights from other countries' SME sectors. During the visit, the Ministry of Finance team also inquired about potential gaps for the next phase of the project. SMEDI emphasized the need for: -Continued capacity building. -Infrastructure development, particularly head office space. -Enhanced mobility for operational efficiency. -A comprehensive functional review of the institution. We are optimistic about the future advancements through the FInES Project and look forward to further supporting the SME sector in Malawi. #FInESProject #FinancialInclusion #SMEs #WorldBank #Malawi #SMEDI #CapacityBuilding #InfrastructureDevelopment

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!!!

Congratulations Rt. Hon. Dr Michael Usi

Transforming Agriculture: The Journey of T G Msonda and Associate At @T G Msonda & Associates, we pride ourselves on being pioneers in the agricultural sector of Malawi. Since our establishment in 1991 by the visionary duo, Tiyezge Msonda and Victor Gwaba Msonda, we have been committed to delivering high-quality, value-added grains. Our specialties include rice paddy and beans, along with milling, packaging, and grain storage services. Our mission is clear: to be the leading supplier of value-added farm products and the most technically advanced provider of associated services in Malawi. With our offices and factory located at the strategic Chilumba Port/Jetty in Karonga, we are well-positioned to serve a diverse clientele that includes major supermarkets and government institutions like hospitals and schools. SMEDI has been a key partner in our success, offering training on food hygiene and packaging through the Malawi Bureau of Standards. This support has been crucial in helping us maintain high standards and navigate regulatory requirements efficiently. Despite facing challenges such as intermittent power supply and difficulties in accessing export markets, our dedication to innovation remains unwavering. We are investing in advanced machinery for color sorting of rice and value addition for maize and other grains. Our commitment to building up stock during lean seasons ensures a continuous supply of quality products year-round. With a team of 9 full-time employees and over 18 temporary staff during peak seasons, we are more than just a business; we are a family dedicated to excellence and community service. As we look to the future, we aim to expand our product range and improve production technologies, all while contributing to Malawi's agricultural growth. Join us on LinkedIn to stay updated on our journey and explore opportunities for collaboration. Together, we can transform the agricultural landscape of Malawi. #Agriculture #ValueAddedProducts #Innovation #Malawi #SMEDI #SuccessStor

Viphya Chambo: Pioneering Excellence and Sustainability in Aquaculture and Agriculture Located in the serene surroundings of Lusangazi, Mzimba North, Viphya Chambo has embarked on an inspiring journey since its inception in 2018. Founded by the innovative duo Falesi Florence and Odoi Mwangonde, this family-owned enterprise is dedicated to cultivating high-quality Chambo fish and championing sustainable agricultural practices. Starting with modest resources and facing significant challenges, their unwavering commitment has driven their remarkable growth. Through innovative strategies such as expanding into cage fish farming and empowering local farmers, Viphya Chambo has increased production capacity while fostering community development. Sustainability is a core value for Viphya Chambo. Their efforts in environmental conservation, sustainable farming practices, and community engagement ensure that growth does not come at the expense of the environment. The AGBAIT training program, funded by GIZ Malawi and facilitated by SMEDI, played a crucial role in their success by enhancing their business acumen and record-keeping practices. Financial support from NBS Bank and governance support from CASA have been instrumental in their growth. Recognized as a Hatchery Operator by the Aquaculture Value Chain Project, Viphya Chambo's excellence in fingerling production is well acknowledged. Their journey is a powerful testament to the impact of vision, hard work, and sustainable practices. Falesi Florence and Odoi Mwangonde's leadership has not only built a thriving business but has also created significant positive impacts on their community and the environment. Their story is an inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs to pursue their dreams, embrace sustainability, and drive meaningful change. Join us in celebrating their achievements and looking forward to a more sustainable and prosperous future for all. #Sustainability #Agriculture #Aquaculture #CommunityImpact #Leadership #ViphyaChambo #Innovation #Entrepreneurship

We are excited to announce that the 34th Malawi International Trade Fair, held at Chichiri fairgrounds in Blantyre, was officially opened yesterday by His Excellency Dr. Lazarus Chakwera. As SMEDI, we are proud to participate in this significant event, supporting 10 SMEs to showcase their remarkable products and services. The fair runs until May 29, 2024, bringing together various stakeholders in the trade industry. It has been truly inspiring to witness the innovation and quality of products from our local companies, especially the SMEs. If you are in Blantyre, we highly encourage you to visit the trade fair grounds to see these amazing products and support our local businesses. The fair is organized by MCCI and promises to be a pivotal event for trade in Malawi. #MalawiTradeFair #SMEDI #SupportSMEs #TradeInnovation #LocalBusinesses #MCCI #BlantyreEvents

Empowering SMEs in Northern Malawi: SMEDI's Successful Media Tour! From May 6th, 2024, SMEDI embarked on a groundbreaking media tour across the northern region to spread awareness about our initiatives and how we can support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Led by our dedicated Communication Officer, Mr. Patrick Chimala Zgambo, and supported by Mr. Dennis Mhango, Business Information Advisory Services Officer, the tour was a resounding success. We visited major radio stations, including Tuntufye Radio in Karonga, Mzimba Community Radio in Mzimba, Voice of Livingstonia in Mzuzu, and Chirundu FM in Nkhatabay. Highlights of the Tour: 1. Engaging live radio programs that allowed listeners to interact directly with our officers. 2. Overwhelming response with numerous callers eager to learn about SMEDI's work. 3. A caller’s heartening feedback calling it the best way to receive information about SMEDI. Our discussions covered essential topics such as: 1. SMEDI's activities and support for SMEs. 2. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between SMEDI and MBS. 3. Assistance for SMEs in accessing finance. 4. Major achievements and success stories of SMEDI. The enthusiastic engagement from listeners has inspired us to expand this initiative. Stay tuned as we bring this empowering program to the southern and central regions soon. Together, we're making strides to ensure every entrepreneur in Malawi has access to the support and information they need to thrive. #SMEDI #SMEs #Malawi #Empowerment #BusinessGrowth #CommunityEngagement