CDH Investment Bank reaffirmed its commitment to advancing innovation and supporting talented students at Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR) during the 2026 Faling Walls Lab pitch day held last Friday.
The occasion marked the bank’s ongoing partnership with LUANAR, aimed at helping the university achieve its strategic objectives.
The event follows the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between CDH Investment Bank and LUANAR earlier this year, laying the foundation for collaborative efforts to foster innovation and talent development in Malawi.
During the event, Jennie Madinga, Account Relationship Manager Corporate and Public Sector announced the disbursement of USD5,000.00 to LUANAR.
The funds are designated for awarding winners of the Falling Walls Lab competition and supporting the university’s efforts in protecting intellectual property rights for innovative projects.
This marks the second year of CDH’s support for Falling Walls Lab, following the 2025 challenge in which the winner attended the science summit in Berlin and progressed toward turning her idea into a prototype.
The bank disclosed that an additional USD 6,000 was disbursed to support high potential LUANAR students, reaffirming its goal of empowering the next generation of leaders and innovators in agriculture and related fields.
Speaking at the event, Madinga expressed optimism about the future of the partnership, stating, “”We are proud to partner with LUANAR and to contribute to the university’s innovation initiatives, as well as to support scholarships. This collaboration reflects our belief in the vital role of innovation in building resilience and driving growth across all sectors. Our partnership with LUANAR demonstrates our commitment to developing sustainable opportunities and contributing to the nation’s progress.”
The banks contribution follows the successful tree-planting activity it jointly hosted with LUANAR earlier in the year, underscoring a broader commitment to community and environmental initiatives alongside academic innovation.
LUANAR officials welcomed the collaboration, emphasizing that the partnership aligns with the university’s mission to foster innovation, nurture talent, and benefit rural communities.
LUANAR Vice-chancellor Professor Emmanuel Kaunda said fostering a culture of innovation and inclusivity across universities was essential if Malawi is to develop. “We require innovative minds to move above the normal kind of thinking. It is important to have this culture all over the universities,” he said.
The Foundation selected Lameck Jailosi, a LUANAR biotechnology graduate, to pitch his innovation at Falling Walls Lab, a global competition which brings together an interdisciplinary pool of students and early-career professionals, each given three minutes to present their ideas.
The Falling Walls Lab partnership has become a cornerstone of the collaboration, with the 2025 winner’s experience in Berlin standing as a testament to what is possible when university research intersects with global platforms for science communication and entrepreneurship. The new round of funding will support this year’s participants and help ensure that LUANAR’s innovation ecosystem continues to grow and evolve.
CDH Investment Bank underscored its long-term view of the relationship, expressing a commitment to sustaining innovation as a driver of national development.
The bank seeks to deepen collaboration, aiming to expand scholarship offerings, further enhance support for student innovators, and continue joint environmental and community initiatives.
The parties are optimistic that the partnership will yield tangible benefits for LUANAR’s students, the university ecosystem, and rural communities across the nation.