NAMA launches agribusiness project for 900 women in Malawi

This initiative is carried out in partnership with Zayane Creations Trust and will establish 45 women-led agricultural enterprises, with 15 annually, each comprising 20 women. The initiative is expected to benefit 4,500 people indirectly, based on an average household size of five.

The project also involves establishing five rural business centres to boost local economic development, and concentrates on empowering women’s agricultural products, enhancing market connections, and encouraging sustainable practices through extensive training in business planning, financial management, marketing, and market research.

This initiative directly addresses the economic and social challenges faced by rural women in Malawi, where 84% of the population rely on agriculture and more than half live in poverty. Women in these communities often have limited decision-making power and restricted access to education and economic opportunities.

A model for impactful international cooperation

Commenting on the project, Mariam Al Hammadi, Director General of NAMA, said that the initiative aligns with Sharjah’s vision and the directives of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Family and Community Council, to empower women worldwide, especially in rural regions facing economic and social challenges.

Al Hammadi said: “Our strategy to improve the lives of women in disadvantaged communities focuses on sustainable development and investing in local potential. Through years of experience, we’ve seen that long-term commitment delivers more lasting impact than short-term solutions. Our role is to create environments that help women approach challenges differently and access genuine opportunities using their own skills, knowledge, and experience.”

Delivering immediate and lasting results

The project aims to deliver immediate and sustainable results by empowering female-led enterprises and markets. Key outcomes include enhancing their bargaining power in the marketplace, increasing household income through improved production and market access, and promoting environmental sustainability by reducing water consumption with drought-resistant irrigation for mushroom cultivation. The initiative will also support new agricultural value chains through innovations in processing and marketing, while creating local employment opportunities through greenhouse construction and the expansion of rural growth centres.

Shared goals and strategic partnerships

The partnership with Zayane Creations Trust aligns with NAMA’s strategic goal of strengthening women's roles worldwide. This collaboration focuses on promoting economic empowerment, increasing women's influence within their families and communities, and providing comprehensive support to establish and sustain profitable agribusinesses. By effectively integrating women into formal market systems, the project offers a pathway to ongoing income generation and future enterprise growth.

This initiative also demonstrates NAMA’s strong commitment to sustainable community development through targeted rural investment and is designed as a scalable model, where its success in Lilongwe will act as a blueprint for similar transformative projects in other rural areas.