Key Business Points
- Nico Holdings plc is expanding its investment footprint in Africa, with plans to take full ownership of its Zambia insurance business and secure majority control in Mozambique, marking a return to growth after years of caution.
- The group never fully withdrew from the region, despite previous challenges, and still holds strategic positions in Zambia, Mozambique, and Uganda, with plans to increase its stake in a general insurance company in Uganda.
- Partnerships and collaborations are key to Nico Holdings’ vision for growth, with the company having established partnerships with organizations such as the Malawi Agricultural and Industrial Investment Corporation, and its subsidiary NBS Bank.
Nico Holdings plc, a leading conglomerate listed on the Malawi Stock Exchange (MSE), has unveiled plans to deepen its investment footprint across Africa. The group’s managing director, Vizenge Kumwenda, announced this development at a cocktail party hosted for customers in Lilongwe, highlighting the company’s return to growth after years of caution. Kukula kwa mphongo, or growth, is a key aspect of any successful business, and Nico Holdings is poised to achieve this through its strategic investments.
The company has a long history of regional expansion, having first ventured into Zambia in 1997, where it set up a general insurance company. Between 2011 and 2012, Nico Holdings invested in several countries in the region, but later retreated due to challenges. However, the group never fully withdrew and still holds strategic positions in Zambia, Mozambique, and Uganda. In Zambia, Nico Holdings owns 51 percent of a general insurance company, while in Mozambique, it has a 34 percent stake in a life insurance company. The company also has an investment in a general insurance company in Uganda, where it plans to increase its stake to about 10 percent.
The news has been well-received by clients, with Loti Nyasulu, senior credit risk manager at the Malawi Agricultural and Industrial Investment Corporation, expressing impression with Nico Holdings’ vision for growth. Nyasulu highlighted the corporation’s partnership with Nico Group’s subsidiary, NBS Bank, demonstrating the importance of partnerships and collaborations in achieving business success. As a zinthu zophweka, or a business that is thriving, Nico Holdings is well-positioned to drive growth and expansion in the region.
With its established history and regional presence, Nico Holdings is poised to capitalize on investment opportunities in Africa. The company’s vision for growth is driven by its commitment to strategic investments and partnerships, making it an attractive partner for businesses and organizations in the region. As the company continues to kukula kwa mphongo, or grow, it is likely to create new fursa, or opportunities, for businesses and entrepreneurs in Malawi and beyond.
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