BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-Three Malawian top entrepreneurs on Sunday returned from Cape Town in South Africa where Africa’s largest bank by assets Standard Bank Group connected them to new growth opportunities.
The three business gurus; Engineer Trevor Hiwa, hoteliers Mirriam Thakwalakwa and Liness Kamowa joined more than 140 business leaders, policymakers, investors, and entrepreneurs from Africa and key global markets at the 3rd Edition of “Africa Unlocked 2026 Conference” hosted by the Group.
Standard Bank’s Head of Business and Commercial Banking Chimwemwe Matonga said the three entrepreneurs were chosen to gain international market exposure because of their demonstrated growth potential, innovation, and ability to create employment opportunities.
“At Standard Bank, we believe in connecting Malawi’s entrepreneurs to the rest of Africa and the world. Africa Unlocked 2026 is a platform for our customers to network, access new markets, and tap into funding and partnerships that will help scale up their businesses,” he said.
The three entrepreneurs selected for the conference represent thriving businesses in the engineering, hospitality, and transportation sectors.
Hiwa is the Managing Director of Infracon, an engineering consultancy renowned for its expertise in infrastructure development across a diverse range of sectors, including mining, public infrastructure, renewable energy, and agriculture.
Meanwhile, Thakwalakwa and Kamowa operate successful enterprises in the hospitality and transportation industries, running Linde Hotel in Mponela and Mame Car Hire, respectively.
“The three entrepreneurs are amongst our key customers who have embarked on diversification and expansion of their respective portfolios. They represent Malawi’s growth potential and provide a strong representation of the key sectors driving industry potential,” said Matonga.
He added that the Africa Unlocked conference has evolved into a platform for practical conversations about Africa’s economic future.
“Africa’s growth story is increasingly being written by businesses that are scaling across borders, attracting investment and embracing innovation. Africa Unlocked is about discussing Africa’s future by bringing together decision-makers who can unlock investment, enable trade and build the partnerships required to turn opportunity into measurable economic growth,” said Matonga.
Infracon Managing Director Trevor Hiwa commented that the conference provided critical insights into how his business can reach new regional markets and contribute to job creation and diversification.
“It was exciting to learn from other leaders and explore how we can expand beyond Malawi through the connections made. The platform Standard Bank has created shows the bank’s real commitment to growing local businesses across borders,” he said.
Standard Bank Group Chief Executive Sim Tshabalala said during the conference the next phase of Africa’s growth will depend on how its entrepreneurs sustain momentum in building partnerships, harnessing regional integration and providing innovative solutions to emerging challenges.
“Across the continent we are seeing businesses expanding into new markets, entrepreneurs scaling with confidence and investment supporting infrastructure, industrialisation, and innovation. The next phase of growth will depend on how effectively we build on this momentum through stronger partnerships, greater regional integration, and continued investment in Africa’s productive economy,” he said.
Standard Bank continues to support the growth of Malawian businesses, providing opportunities for trade, capacity building and regional exposure through structured event and initiatives such as this.
