LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Malawi’s Export Development Fund (EDF) has been awarded an ‘A’ rating for development impact by the Association of African Development Finance Institutions (AADFI), placing it among the top-performing Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) across the continent.
The announcement was made during the AADFI Consultative Dinner & Awards Event held on May 26, 2025, in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, as part of the celebrations marking AADFI’s 50th anniversary.
The rating follows a comprehensive peer review assessment conducted under the Prudential Standards, Guidelines, and Rating System (PSGRS), where EDF scored an impressive 83% compliance.
In an interview with The Maravi Post on Wednesday, June 18, EDF Public Relations Officer Deliby Chimbalu confirmed the recognition, stating that the ‘A’ rating is a significant milestone for the institution.
“Receiving the PSGRS Rating Award reflects our unwavering commitment to excellence in development finance,” she said.
The PSGRS, introduced by AADFI in 2020, is a benchmarking tool designed to evaluate the performance of African DFIs in key areas such as governance, financial management, and operational effectiveness.
EDF’s high score and subsequent rating were the result of targeted reforms and strategic improvements within the institution.
Commenting on the achievement, EDF Managing Director Fredrick Chanza said the rating affirms the Fund’s strategic direction and impact.
“This rating shows that we’re on the right track in how we are managing the Fund and supporting businesses in Malawi. It reflects not only our commitment to operational excellence and good governance, but also our deep focus on delivering real, measurable impact for Malawi’s economy,”
“I’m grateful to our team and partners who’ve helped us get here, and we’ll keep working to do even better,”Chanza said.
The rating is expected to enhance EDF’s ability to attract funding and forge strategic partnerships, further expanding its capacity to support export-oriented businesses and drive economic growth in Malawi.
The peer-reviewed assessment process adds credibility to EDF’s performance, having been evaluated objectively by fellow DFIs across Africa.
As a Malawi-based institution, EDF’s achievement underscores its growing role in promoting industrial development and export diversification in line with national economic goals and the Fund now plans to build on this momentum by continuing to align its operations with international best practices and delivering impactful financing solutions.
With this accolade, EDF not only strengthens its reputation on the continental stage but also reaffirms its commitment to being a catalyst for sustainable economic transformation in Malawi.
