First Lady praises NBM plc for sponsoring the Scorchers

NBM plc rewards the team with K500 million

The country’s First Lady, Gertrude Mutharika has commended National Bank of Malawi (NBM) plc for going beyond financial sponsorship in supporting the Malawi Women’s National Football Team, saying its commitment contributed to the team’s historic success.

Mutharika made the remarks on Thursday during a luncheon hosted for the Scorchers at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe, alongside NBM plc and other stakeholders for their contribution to the team’s impressive campaign at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).

“Congratulations National Bank of Malawi, I say thank you. You didn’t only sponsor and sit back. National Bank even sponsored some of our people,” she said..

Mutharika added that Malawians were extremely proud of the team for defeating some of Africa’s most established sides, noting that the achievement had raised Malawi’s profile in international football.

NBM plc Board Chairman Grant Kabango expressed gratitude to the First Lady for hosting the team at State House.

Kabango further thanked the players, technical bench and support staff for their sacrifice and determination, saying their achievements had put Malawi firmly on the African football map.

Kabango further announced that NBM plc has given the Scorchers K500 million in recognition of their outstanding performance at the 2026 WAFCON.

He described the Scorchers as national heroes whose historic performance had inspired millions of young girls across Malawi to dream bigger.

“At National Bank of Malawi (Plc), we invested in women’s football early. Not just as a sponsorship, but as a statement. A statement about gender equity, about youth empowerment, and about national development,” said Kabango.

NBM plc has been a key sponsor of the Malawi Scorchers, from last year when they announced a K1.58 billion sports sponsorship program.

The bank has backed the team both in Malawi and in Morocco through match-viewing events, supporter engagement initiatives and a delegation of customers and partners who travelled to cheer the team in Rabat, Morocco.