Managing Director

Taz Chaponda

Taz Chaponda serves as the Managing Director of the Malawi Agricultural and Industrial Investment Corporation plc (MAIIC), a strategic development finance institution driving economic transformation through catalytic investments in agriculture, industry, infrastructure, and other key sectors of the economy. As the founding Managing Director of MAIIC in 2019, he played a pivotal role in establishing the Corporation’s governance structures, operational systems, and investment strategy, successfully scaling the institution’s assets to USD16 million.

A seasoned financial services and investment executive, Mr. Chaponda brings over 25 years of distinguished experience spanning asset management, development finance, public financial management, and large-scale investment platforms across Africa, Europe, and Asia. His expertise includes capital mobilisation, institutional leadership, and structuring bankable transactions across sectors such as energy, infrastructure, and agribusiness. His career reflects a strong track record of building institutions, managing complex investment portfolios, and delivering strategic growth in both public and private sector environments.

Prior to his appointment at MAIIC, Mr. Chaponda held senior leadership and advisory roles in global institutions including the International Monetary Fund, World Bank, Mastercard Foundation, Bain & Company, Genesis Analytics, and Prosperity Capital Management. Throughout his career, he has mobilised over USD 100 million for multi-country investment programmes and contributed to landmark infrastructure transactions, including the Gautrain Rapid Rail Link in South Africa.

Mr. Chaponda holds an MBA from INSEAD Business school, an MSc in Development Economics from the University of Oxford, and a BA in Economics (Cum Laude) from Harvard University. He is also a Yale World Fellow (2015) and has completed executive training in Investment Appraisal and Risk Analysis at Queen’s University.

CHIEF RISK AND COMPLIANCE OFFICER

Lloyd Banda

Lloyd C. Banda is the Chief Risk and Compliance Officer (CRCO) of the Malawi Agricultural and Industrial Investment Corporation plc (MAIIC), Malawi’s Development Finance Institution (DFI). He is a seasoned banking and development finance executive with over two decades of experience in risk management, credit, corporate governance, compliance, development finance, treasury operations, and strategic leadership. Throughout his career, he has built a strong reputation for strengthening institutional resilience, driving sustainable growth, and embedding robust governance and risk management practices within financial institutions.

Since joining MAIIC in 2020 as Chief Risk and Compliance Officer, Lloyd has led the development and implementation of the institution’s enterprise risk management framework, regulatory compliance strategy, credit risk oversight, asset and liability management, data analytics, and governance systems. He plays a central role in safeguarding the institution’s financial soundness while ensuring compliance with Reserve Bank of Malawi requirements and international best practices.

From September 2022 to June 2026, Lloyd served as Acting Chief Executive Officer, during which he successfully led the institution through a period of significant transformation and growth. Under his leadership, MAIIC substantially expanded its balance sheet, strengthened profitability, mobilized major international development finance resources, advanced its strategic transformation into a project-led development finance institution, enhanced governance and enterprise risk management, and positioned itself as a key catalyst for Malawi’s agricultural and industrial transformation. His tenure also saw the advancement of MAIIC’s capital raising initiatives, including preparations for its planned Initial Public Offering (IPO), while deepening partnerships with Government, development finance institutions, and private sector stakeholders.

Before joining MAIIC, Lloyd held various positions in the Banking and Financial services sector in Treasury, Credit and Risk and Compliance Departments of FDH Bank plc, National Bank of Malawi and First Capital Bank.

Lloyd holds an Executive Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the Eastern and Southern African Management Institute (ESAMI), a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Financial Markets and Management from the University of Manchester (United Kingdom).  He is also an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Bankers (UK) (ACIB).

With more than 20 years of progressive leadership experience across commercial banking and development finance, Lloyd brings deep expertise in enterprise risk management, credit risk, development finance, project finance, governance, compliance, strategy execution, asset and liability management, and institutional transformation. He is passionate about strengthening financial institutions, mobilizing capital for economic development, promoting sound governance, and enabling sustainable private sector growth that contributes to Malawi’s long-term economic transformation.

CHIEF PROJECTS DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

Pius Mulekano

Pius Mulekano is a highly accomplished Investment and Finance Executive with over 15 years of experience in development finance, transaction advisory, and audit. He currently serves as the Chief Projects Development Officer at the Malawi Agricultural and Industrial Investment Corporation (MAIIC), where he leads executive-level investment strategies that drive organizational growth and deliver meaningful socio-economic impact. Prior to joining MAIIC, he built a strong professional foundation at Deloitte and EY Malawi, rising to the position of Senior Manager.

His expertise spans investment and deal structuring, where he originates high-impact transactions using a range of instruments including debt, equity, and partial credit guarantees. He has a proven track record in transaction advisory, particularly in capital raising, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), and financial due diligence on both the buy and sell sides. Pius also possesses advanced financial modeling capabilities, having developed complex models for business planning, valuations, M&A, budgeting, and scenario analysis, supported by global training at EY London and the Financial Modelling Institute. In addition, he brings strong strategic leadership, with experience in designing and executing market penetration strategies within the financial services sector, particularly in development finance.

At MAIIC, Pius oversees the growth of the institution’s investment portfolio through strategic capital mobilization and leverage, de-risking high-impact investments via early-stage funding coupled with clear exit strategies. He plays a key role in fostering syndication and partnerships, successfully collaborating with local and regional Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) as well as international partners. He also manages technical assistance grants that strengthen MAIIC’s project preparation capabilities. Driven by a commitment to inclusivity, his investment portfolio consistently maintains at least 30% participation from women- and youth-owned businesses.

Beyond his executive role, Pius serves as an Independent Director at Swift Capital Growth Partners Limited, contributing to governance and strategic oversight.

He holds an MBA in Finance and a Bachelor of Commerce in Accountancy, and is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (FCCA), a Chartered Development Finance Analyst (CDFA), and an Advanced Financial Modeler (AFM). He is an active member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Malawi (ICAM), the Malawi Accountants Board (MAB), the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), and the Chartered Institute of Development Finance (CIDEF).

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Dr. Thomson Kumwenda

Dr. Kumwenda is a growth-oriented economist, finance specialist, and chartered accountant (CA) (Mw) with over 18 years of progressive experience in executive management, corporate finance, banking, accounting, auditing, academia, and administration. Possesses extensive expertise across development banking, commercial banking, retail lending solutions, and strategic financial management.

Over the course of a distinguished career spanning nearly two decades, has successfully led and managed complex corporate transactions and strategic initiatives, including mergers and acquisitions (M&A), comprehensive financial and operational due diligences, initial public offerings (IPOs), bond listings on stock exchanges, capital raising through a wide range of debt instruments, Tier I and Tier II capital mobilization, and acquisition of selected balance sheet assets. Demonstrated ability to drive business growth, optimize financial performance, structure innovative financing solutions, and provide strategic leadership in highly regulated and dynamic environments. Proven track record in stakeholder management, corporate restructuring, investment analysis, risk management, governance, and execution of transformational projects that deliver sustainable value to shareholders and stakeholders.

 His core competencies include Corporate Finance and Investment Banking, Mergers, Acquisitions and Due Diligence, Capital Raising and Structured Finance, Debt and Equity Markets Transactions, Financial Strategy and Business Transformation, Banking and Financial Services Management, Risk Management and Corporate Governance, Financial Reporting and Regulatory Compliance, Business Valuation and Transaction Advisory, Leadership, Stakeholder Engagement and Team Development. His combination of technical expertise, commercial acumen, and strategic leadership enables the delivery of innovative solutions that support organizational growth, financial sustainability, and long-term value creation.

 He holds, PhD in Economics from University of Malawi; master’s degree in economics from University of Malawi; Bachelor of Accountancy Degree from University of Malawi; ACCA Professional Qualification (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants); Certified Public Accountant, Malawi; and Certified Valuer, as per Malawi Companies Act.

He is a member of the Technical Standards Committee of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Malawi (ICAM), Chair of the Finance and Audit Committee of Microloan Foundation Malawi, member of the boards of Tobacco Investment Limited, MMC Malawi, and Infraworks Holdings Limited in Malawi.