The new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for one of Africa’s best commercial bankers, National Bank of Malawi (NBM) Harold Jiya, says he has plans up his sleeves to take the bank of the nation to greater heights.
Jiya, who was recently NBM’s top boss, has declared his plans to grow the leading the home-grown financial institution into a formidable force promising to increase the firm’s profits to 100 million dollars by the year in the next two-and-half years in 2027.
Currently, the Bank’s profits in dollar terms as at December 2023 were at 60 million dollars (around K102 billion) and he promises to grow a staggering 40 million dollars.
Jiya, who has taken over from Macfussy Kawawa, says says the bank is set to expand its regional footprint beyond Malawi and Tanzania, where it is currently operating.
National Bank of Malawi (NBM) appointed Jiya as its CEO designate at the beginning of the year.
Jiya’s elevation from the deputy CEO position to the top position follows the retirement of the MacFussy Kawawa who bowed out last month.
NBM Board Chairperson Jimmy Lipunga who confirmed Jiya’s appointment through a statement described it as a significant step in the Bank’s succession planning process.
“The Board is excited with the Mr Jiya assuming the role of the CEO substantively upon satisfying and fulfilling the necessary milestones set by the Board.
Lipunga said: “Jiya brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and a proven track record of leadership to this role.”
“Jiya’s appointment is a testament to the rigorous succession planning process the Bank has undertaken to ensure a smooth and seamless transition in leadership,” added Lipunga.
Lipunga further said he has full confidence that Jiya will build upon the strong foundation laid by those before him and continue to uphold the values and principles that have made NBM plc a leader in the banking industry.
Jiya, a veteran banker with over 20 years of management and leadership experience, holds a Master of Business Administration Degree from Exeter University in the UK, a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) Degree from the Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS) (formerly the University of Malawi, The Polytechnic), and an ACIB/BSc (Honors) qualification from the UK.
Jiya is also an alumnus of the prestigious Advanced Management and Leadership program of Oxford University’s Said Business School and recently completed an Advanced Management Program at Insead Business School in France.
The new NBM chief has held several positions at NBM, including Head, Corporate Banking/ Wholesale Banking Division, and General Manager, before being appointed Deputy Chief Executive Officer in September 2020.
Before this appointment, he was serving as Deputy Chief Executive, and before that, as General Manager, understudying the incumbent CEO.
Jiya has extensive financial service experience and is also an Executive Director on the National Bank of Malawi plc Board, a position he has held for the past seven years.
He has served on several boards in the private and public sector and has been in the management team at NBM plc in various roles since 2004.
“Jiya brings a wealth of knowledge, experience and leadership.”
Jimmy Lipunga
NBM Board Chairperson
