On Friday, 12th September 2025, the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Malawi (ICAM) hosted the Students’ Excellence Awards Ceremony at the prestigious Ryalls Hotel in Blantyre.
The ceremony, held under the inspiring theme “Celebrating Perseverance, Rewarding Excellence,” recognised the remarkable achievements of ICAM students at Certificate (CIFA), Technician Diploma, and Chartered Accountant levels.
The 2025 ICAM Excellence Awards Ceremony was more than just an awards presentation; it was a celebration of the human spirit’s capacity to overcome challenges. Students across Malawi were recognised for outstanding performances in the December 2024 and June 2025 examination diets. The event brought together a community of awardees, their families, ICAM Council members, training institutions, corporate organisations, and media houses. It was an afternoon of celebration, motivation, and reflection on the values of hard work, resilience, and persistence.
Some of the awardees in a group photo
The ceremony commenced with warm welcome remarks from Chrissie Jere, ICAM’s Director of Education & Training. Jere’s address emphasised the importance of persistence in the face of academic rigours, welcoming all attendees and highlighting how the theme resonated with the journeys of ICAM students.
“Today, we celebrate not just grades, but the grit that turns obstacles into opportunities,” Jere stated. Her remarks set a motivational tone, preparing the audience for the inspiring speeches and awards to follow.
Then, the ICAM CEO took to the podium, aligning the ceremony’s theme with ICAM’s overarching vision: “A Chartered Accountant in every organisation in Malawi.” In his address, he powerfully quoted Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, stating, “Perseverance is a great element of success. If you only knock long enough and loud enough at the gate, you are sure to wake up somebody.”
ICAM CEO- CA. Noel Zigowa making his speech at the Excellence Awards
He framed the awardees as those who had done exactly that, knocked with relentless determination until the gates of success swung open. The CEO made an appeal to the employers and firms in attendance, urging them to open their doors and provide the crucial practical experience these top talents need to fully qualify as Chartered Accountants, thereby directly contributing to the human capital development goals of the Malawi 2063 agenda.
The guest of honour, ICAM President CA. Daniel Jere delivered a stirring and heartfelt address. He humbly said we are not only gathering to celebrate not just academic performance, but the “grit, resilience, and persistence” that defined each student’s journey.
“The journey of an ICAM student is rarely smooth. It is a journey marked by late nights of study, countless sacrifices, moments of self-doubt, and yet, unwavering determination.”
He reserved special praise for the new Chartered Accountants who qualified in the December 2024 and June 2025 sittings, declaring, “You are now custodians of trust, stewards of accountability, and torchbearers of excellence”.
He challenged graduates to go beyond academic success and become ambassadors of excellence, beacons of perseverance, and the future of the accountancy profession in Malawi.
ICAM President, CA. Daniel Jere, delivering his keynote address.
The ceremony also featured a powerful motivational talk by CA. Akonda Supuni Yakobe, who spoke on the topic “The Goal-Setting Mindset: Unlocking Your Full Potential as an Accountant.”
Yakobe emphasised that success goes beyond grades, urging students to cultivate vision, focus, and resilience:
“Exams assess your knowledge, but life will evaluate your vision. Working hard without goals is like running fast on a treadmill, you sweat, but you do not move forward.”
Her message challenged students to think long-term, set intentional goals, and aspire to leadership and influence.
- Akonda Supuni Yakobe addressing the awardees.
Fifty-six students were recognised for their outstanding performance across ICAM programs. The awards reflected not only academic brilliance but also dedication, sacrifice, and determination.
The highlight of the afternoon was Mashaa Qassam, who emerged as the outstanding student of the year, scooping five awards across the CIFA, Technician Diploma, and Chartered Accountant levels.
Another shining star was Violet Kamanga, who successfully qualified as a Chartered Accountant during the June 2025 sitting. She described her achievement as “a milestone in my professional journey,” inspiring fellow students to remain committed to their dreams.
The event also highlighted the crucial role of corporate partners in supporting ICAM’s mission. The Institute extended heartfelt appreciation to sponsors like NICO Life and Baker Tilly, whose support makes these awards possible. In a major announcement, Baker Tilly Managing Partner Alfred Lungu pledged to sponsor the awards for the CIFA Program for the next five years, with the awards to be named the Baker Tilly Awards. This sponsorship demonstrates a strong commitment to nurturing the next generation of financial leaders in Malawi.
Other partners were also acknowledged for their ongoing support, which includes funding prizes, mentorship opportunities, and resources for student development. These sponsorships not only make the awards possible but also bridge the gap between academia and industry, ensuring that persistence is rewarded with real-world opportunities.
The Excellence Awards reaffirmed ICAM’s mission to promote the development of the accountancy profession through globally recognised qualifications and training. With every award presented, the institute reinforced its belief that perseverance produces excellence, and excellence builds the foundation for Malawi’s future.
Part of the audience that patronised the Excellence Awards
The Institute of Chartered Accountants in Malawi (ICAM) is a Professional Accountancy Organization (PAO) established in 2013 following the merger of the Public Accountants Examinations Council (PAEC) and the Society of Accountants in Malawi (SOCAM) under the Public Accountants and Auditors Act (PAAA) No. 5 of 2013.
- Vision: A Chartered Accountant in every organisation in Malawi.
- Mission: To promote the development of the accountancy profession in Malawi through the provision of globally recognised qualifications and training, and to advocate for issues of public interest for the benefit of students, members, government, and stakeholders.
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