Dr. Mandas Marikanda is the Chief Executive Officer of the Zimbabwe Women’s Microfinance Bank (ZWMB) the first of its kind in the SADCC region. She has more than 27 years experience in development finance, designing innovative financial interventions such as group savings, implementation of microfinance, innovative lending initiatives in rural communities. A seasoned consultant and accredited trainer for ICT/ILO Making Microfinance work. She has a PHD in Economic Empowerment and microfinance from Aldersgate College Philippines. She is a holder of an MBA in leadership with Eastern University of USA and an HRUP (Honours) degree from the University of Zimbabwe and holds various certificates in training, leadership, counselling and bible leadership.
Dr. Marikanda has passion for financial inclusion for excluded groups and communities such as rural population and disadvantaged groups including youths, young girls, orphans and women. She has been working with women and youths offering practical initiatives for entrepreneurship, employability among youths and young women. She undertook various assignments in Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia for different organizations during her career. Dr. Marikanda has demonstrated unmistakeable traits of leadership and good governance over the years. She is passionate about business incubation and development.
Dr. Marikanda is a member of Zimbabwe Institute of Management, Institute of Corporate Directors and the CEO’s Roundtable. She has scored a number of successes and numerous awards since 2018 for women economic empowerment some listed below and still counting:
Overall Winner of the Zimbabwe Institute of Management 2018 National Leadership Excellence Awards – Northern Region. Overall National Winner of the Zimbabwe Institute of Management 2018 National Leadership Excellence Awards. Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce Winner CEO of the Year Women in Enterprise Conference Awards 2018. Mega fest Bronze Award Winner CEO of the Year 2019. Proweb Women CEO of the year 2019. Proweb Outstanding Achievement Award 2019. Institute of Corporate Directors- Woman Championship in Boards 2019. Zimbabwe Business Awards Businesswoman of the Year National 2019. CEO Round Table Entrepreneurial CEO of the Year 2ND Runner Up 2019. CEO Round Table CEO of the Year. 1st runner up-Woman Corporate Director of the Year: Public Enterprises/Parastals- Institute of Corporate Directors Zimbabwe 2020. 2nd runner up-Innovative /Turnaround Strategic Corporate Director of the Year. Zim Life Agricultural Merit Award Women in Agriculture Award- 2020. Amongst Iconic Women of the Decade, and Top 50 Most Inspirational Women in Zimbabwe in 2021. ZNCC – Financial Institution Supporting MSME 2021- Midlands. ZNCC – Financial Institution Supporting MSME 2021- Mashonaland. Named one of African Legacy Leadership Legends 2022. Zimbabwe CEO’s Network – Best Pro-Development Bank. Women In Project Management – Financial Services – Banking Sector. ZIST – Innovation, Women Empowerment & Leadership Excellence Award
