06/10/2026
RBM CALLS FOR STRONGER REGIONAL COOPERATION TO SAFEGUARD FINANCIAL STABILITY
The Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) has called for stronger regional cooperation, consistent supervision and closer coordination among financial regulators as cross-border institutions and risks become increasingly interconnected.
Speaking on 6 October 2026 at the opening of the 49th Committee of Insurance, Securities and Non-Banking Financial Authorities (CISNA) Annual General Council Meeting in Lilongwe, RBM Governor Dr. George Partridge said national markets require a collaborative regional response to protect financial stability and support economic development.
The Governor said non-bank financial institutions including pension funds, insurers and cooperative-based entities play a crucial role in mobilising long-term capital, widening access to finance and directing domestic savings towards productive sectors.
He further noted that the increasing scale, sophistication, and interconnectedness of non-bank financial institutions present opportunities to further strengthen regulatory approaches through responsive, proportionate, and well-coordinated frameworks.
Dr. Partridge described CISNA as an important part of the region’s supervisory infrastructure and urged it to continue strengthening knowledge sharing, institutional capacity and the harmonisation of legal frameworks, regulatory standards and supervisory practices across the Southern African Development Community.
His sentiments were echoed by the Minister of Industrialization, Business, Trade, and Tourism, Hon. Simon Itaye who urged CISNA members to build a resilient, transparent and inclusive financial systems that protect people’s savings, connect long-term capital to productive development and enable regulators to tackle cross-border, climate and digital risks together.
Taking his turn, CISNA chairperson Mr. Kenneth Matomola noted that the role of its members is not only to regulate the financial sector today, but also to prepare institutions, markets and economies for the financial sector of tomorrow. He therefore urged members to build a CISNA that is not only responsive to change, but capable of anticipating change and shaping the future.
CISNA is the Committee of Insurance, Securities and Non-Banking Financial Authorities, responsible for harmonizing and supervising non-banking financial sectors across SADC member states.