Centenary Bank Limited Celebrates 5th Anniversary at Dzaleka Refugee Camp with New Branch

Dowa, Malawi-Centenary Bank Limited has reaffirmed its commitment to empowering refugees at the Dzaleka Refugee Camp in Malawi with loans that would help boost their businesses and help them remain economically empowered, writes Moses Nyirenda.

The bank celebrated its fifth anniversary of working at the camp by opening its first-ever branch there.

The Managing Director of Centenary Bank Limited, Zandile Shaba, said that the bank's mission is to provide refugees with access to financial services that were previously unavailable to them and include them in the financial system.

Shaba added that, with the support of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the World Food Programme (WFP), the bank has so far disbursed loans to thousands of refugees over the past five years.

"The loans have been used to start businesses, pay for school fees, and improve living conditions, uplifting the economic lives of refugees and giving them a sense of independence and hope for a better future," Shaba said.

She also highlighted the job opportunities the bank has created for refugees, contributing to the overall development of the refugee camp and helping to reduce dependence on external aid.

The Managing Director expressed her pride and commitment to continue working at Dzaleka Refugee Camp, saying that financial inclusion is not just a matter of profit but also a matter of social impact.

She credited the success of the initiative to the bank's commitment to social responsibility and dedication to improving the lives of marginalized communities.

UNHCR Associate External Relations Officer, Kenyi Emanuel Lukajo, applauded Centenary Bank Limited for its commitment to empowering refugees at Dzaleka.

"For a long time, Centenary Bank Limited has been supporting the refugees at Dzaleka, and it is very impressive that at least this bank is still able to step in and support refugees in financial inclusion," Lukajo said.

Shaba added that the initiatives of Centenary Bank Limited at Dzaleka would not have been possible without the support of the UNHCR and WFP, which provided critical resources and expertise.

Centenary Bank Limited's commitment to empowering refugees at Dzaleka is a shining example of the power of financial inclusion to transform lives and create opportunities for economic growth and social mobility.