Country
Malawi, Namibia, Zambia

Local Project Partner
Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM), Agricultural Bank of Namibia (Agribank), Bank of Zambia (BoZ)

German Project Partner
Malawi: Sparkasse Schwaben-Bodensee, Namibia: Kreissparkasse Saarlouis, Zambia: Kreissparkasse Esslingen-Nürtingen

Donor
BMZ

Duration
01.07.2026 - 30.06.2028

A lack of basic financial literacy affects not only informal, rural areas, but also formally employed workers and businesses. It leads to over-indebtedness, low use of financial products, a lack of provision for the future and economic instability in private households. It hinders the development of SMEs, which are often unable to obtain bank financing due to a lack of qualified documentation . As a result, employment, investment and tax payments fall short of their potential.

The overall development objective of the project is to support the sustainable transformation of the economy so that SMEs in the project countries are strengthened, good jobs are created, and households become more resilient and economically active, thereby strengthening the local economy in a socially equitable manner. The project builds on a previous regional project in the same countries in southern Africa, which will be completed at the end of July 2026.

Tasks
Improving basic financial literacy is one of the key levers for preventing over-indebtedness and increasing the use of financial products – both among formally employed people and among businesses. Targeted support for small and medium-sized enterprises is crucial for job creation, investment and tax revenue. What is needed is local, institutional anchoring of financial education and SME support, including the use of digital channels.