(By Vinjeru Ngwira)
NICO Group has unveiled One NICO Pa Ground, a new staff-led community impact initiative designed to empower employees to identify and implement projects that address the needs of the communities where they live and work across Malawi.
The initiative is part of the Group’s One NICO Lived Experience programme, a culture activation initiative that seeks to translate the company’s values into practical action while strengthening the connection between employees, communities, and the organisation’s purpose.
Through the programme, more than 1,500 eligible permanent employees will each receive MK200,000 to support a community project of their choice under a governance framework that promotes accountability, transparency, and measurable impact. In total, NICO Group expects to invest more than MK300 million in community initiatives across the country.
Speaking on the launch, Group Head of Marketing and Customer Experience Taweni Gondwe Xaba said the initiative reflects the company’s belief that employees are best placed to identify the needs of the communities they serve.
“One NICO Pa Ground is about bringing our values to life. As a business, we believe prosperity is most meaningful when it is shared. Our employees live in the communities we serve, understand their challenges, and are often best placed to identify opportunities to make a difference,” said Xaba.
She added that the programme empowers employees to become catalysts for positive change while strengthening a culture of care, ownership, and responsibility across the organisation.
The initiative will support a wide range of community interventions, including assistance to vulnerable households, educational projects, community institutions, and other locally identified needs. NICO Group said the programme also encourages innovation by allowing employees to develop practical solutions tailored to the unique challenges facing their communities.
According to the company, One NICO Pa Ground is expected to generate hundreds of impactful projects across Malawi, reinforcing its long-standing commitment to creating lasting social and economic value beyond its core business operations through collective action and community engagement.