VisionFund Malawi is a non-deposit taking, licensed (by the Reserve Bank of Malawi) microfinance institution that aims to change the lives of children living in poverty. VisionFund Malawi was established in 2000 as a trust, with the aim of empowering rural poor people, especially women. The company was incorporated as a limited liability company in 2013 in order to conform to the requirements of the Microfinance Act of 2010. VisionFund Malawi targets the economically active, yet marginalized Malawians living in underserved rural areas, including semi-urban areas.
Over 40% of people living in Malawi live below the poverty line. Most of these are women.
Around 80% of Malawians live in rural areas, with smallholder agriculture being the main economic activity. However, many people can’t afford to buy seed and fertilizer, and therefore have problems accessing the necessary farming products. As a result, harvests can be modest because of the use of recycled seed and a lack of fertilizer.
With social and economic difficulties typical for the region, our microfinance services meet the needs of rural communities.
Chief Executive Officer – Chilala Hakooma
Chilala Hakooma joined our organisation in 2015 as acting CEO. Chilala has been a part of the VisionFund network since 2010, most recently working as COO at VisionFund Zambia since 2012.
Chilala holds a Bachelors of Science Degree in Agricultural Economics and Post Graduate Diploma in Monitoring and Evaluation. He is currently in his finals stage of study for the Masters in Business Administration (International Business) with University of Greenwich.
Chief Finance Officer – Samson Sikelo
Samson Sikelo Phiri joined VisionFund Malawi as Chief Finance Officer in September 2013, previously having worked at the MicroLoan Foundation, where he headed the finance department for 3 years. Samson is a seasoned finance and administration manager with over 10 years of senior management experience. His areas of expertise include: financial and operation management, planning, budgeting, treasury management, stakeholder management (Central Bank, Microfinance Network, External Auditors and Board of Directors), financial reporting, compliance and general administration. He holds a BSc (Hons) degree in applied accounting from Oxford Brookes University and is a qualified ACCA accountant (CPA) MW.
Human Resources and Administration Manager – Temwachi Nkhono
Temwachi Nkhono joined VisionFund Malawi as the human resources and administration manager in May 2013. Temwachi came to VisionFund Malawi with over 7 years of human resource and administration expertise. She holds of a Master of Business Administration Degree (MBA) from Eastern and Southern Africa Management Institute (ESAMI).
Chief Operations Officer – Finley Kandaya
Finley Kandaya joined VisionFund Malawi as operations manager in July 2010 before becoming chief operations officer in 2013. Finley has over 14 years of operations management experience in the financial services sector in Malawi. He was part of the turnaround team that saw VisionFund Malawi become a self-sustainable organization. He holds a Degree in Business Administration from the University of Malawi.
Marketing and Integration Manager – Francis Akwanjana
Saka
Francis Saka joined VisionFund Malawi as marketing and integration manager in May 2013. Francis is a seasoned marketer with over 7 years of senior management experience. His areas of expertise include: brand management, strategy development and execution, opportunity identification and exploitation, business risk management, team development and motivation, media relations and marketing projects management. He holds a Master of Business Administration Degree (MBA) from Management College of Southern Africa and is a qualified member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing.
Internal Audit Manager – Reuben Langson Kuzemba
Reuben Langson Kuzemba joined VisionFund Malawi in March 2012 as the internal audit, risk and compliance officer. He assumed the internal audit manager position in June 2014. He is a capable and articulate internal audit manager with a decorated track record in executing robust audit plans, audit strategies and managing larger-scale internal audit assignments spanning over 10 years. He holds a Diploma in Accounting (PAECM) and has studied CIMA and CIA. His current role ensures proper conduct of risk based audits to identify uncontrolled risk exposures and bring them to the attention of senior management and the board.