Malawian tycoon Thom Mpinganjira’s FDH Bank stake nears $1 billion

Key Points

• Thom Mpinganjira’s FDH Bank stake nears $1 billion, fueled by a 112% rise in the bank’s share price in 2025.
• Mpinganjira’s holdings grew by $490.62 million in 2025, reflecting strong investor confidence and FDH Bank’s solid financial performance.
• FDH Bank’s market cap exceeds $1.25 billion, making it the third most valuable stock on the Malawi Stock Exchange.

Malawian tycoon Thom Mpinganjira is solidifying his position as one of Malawi’s wealthiest individuals, with the value of his stake in FDH Bank approaching the $1-billion mark. This surge is driven by a significant increase in the shares of the Blantyre-based lender on the Malawi Stock Exchange (MSE).

Mpinganjira’s stake in FDH Bank nears $1 billion

Mpinganjira, the founder of FDH Bank, owns a 74.05 percent stake through his investment firm, M Development Ltd. According to data tracked by Billionaires.Africa, the market value of his holdings has increased by MWK852.13 billion ($490.62 million) since the beginning of 2025, driven by strong investor confidence and the bank’s impressive financial performance.

This boost follows a $224.29 million gain in 2024, when Mpinganjira’s stake grew from MWK357.71 billion ($212.48 million) to MWK757.49 billion ($436.77 million). Together, these gains have brought him closer to joining the ranks of the world’s billionaires. However, there are still challenges ahead, including further growth needed for his FDH Bank stake and concerns about his liabilities and personal debts.

FDH Bank’s share surge drives market cap past $1.25 billion

FDH Bank, a key player in Malawi’s financial sector, operates under FDH Financial Holdings and offers a wide range of services, including banking, investment management, and advisory. Founded by Mpinganjira in April 2002, the bank has expanded significantly across Malawi, with 53 branches and 91 ATMs in all 27 districts as of 2020.

Since the beginning of 2025, FDH Bank’s stock has seen a remarkable rise, increasing by 112.49 percent. This surge has made it the second-best performer on the Malawi Stock Exchange (MSE) this year, with its share price jumping from MWK148.23 ($0.08534) on January 1 to MWK314.98 ($0.1814) as of now.

This impressive growth has placed FDH Bank among the MSE’s top companies, now ranking as the third most valuable stock with a market capitalization exceeding $1.25 billion. The surge has been particularly rewarding for its shareholders, including Malawian tycoon Thom Mpinganjira.

Mpinganjira’s stake in FDH Bank grows

The sharp rise in FDH Bank’s share price has boosted the value of Mpinganjira’s 74.05 percent stake. His holdings have surged by MWK852.13 billion ($490.62 million), growing from MWK757.49 billion ($436.13 million) at the start of the year to MWK1.61 trillion ($926.74 million). This reinforces his position as one of Malawi’s richest individuals and a key player in Southern Africa’s investment landscape.

FDH Bank’s strong financial performance, combined with growing investor confidence, highlights Mpinganjira’s ongoing influence in Malawi’s financial sector. It also reflects the increasing strength of homegrown businesses across Africa. Despite serving a nine-year prison sentence for attempting to bribe five constitutional court judges, Mpinganjira continues to stand out as one of the continent’s most prominent business figures.