03/12/2025
A Brief Background of Dr. Thompson Mpinganjira
Thompson Mpinganjira was born on 28 February 1961 in Blantyre, Malawi, and grew up in a family that faced its share of challenges. One of the defining moments of his childhood came when his father was detained for religious reasons. Thom was only 11, but that experience shaped his sense of responsibility and his drive to succeed. He went on to study accounting, eventually qualifying as a chartered accountant in 1984 -- a profession that opened the doors to banks, auditing firms, investment institutions, and the world of finance.
During his early career, he worked in several organisations, gaining experience in banking, auditing, stock markets, and financial management. These early roles gave him something many business leaders never get: a deep understanding of financial systems from the inside. This journey eventually led him to become the first Malawian stockbroker and one of the key people involved in establishing the Malawi Stock Exchange, where he also served as its first CEO.
But his big leap came in 2002, when he founded First Discount House (FDH), which later became part of FDH Financial Holdings -- starting with a small office and a handful of staff. What began as a modest financial operation steadily expanded. By 2008, he had grown it into FDH Bank Plc, one of Malawi’s largest and most influential homegrown financial institutions.
Over the years, FDH became a major player in Malawi’s economy, and by 2025, Mpinganjira’s stake in the company made him widely reported as Malawi’s first US-dollar billionaire. His influence extended beyond finance: after retiring from active leadership of FDH, he focused on something deeply personal: philanthropy. After losing his wife Barbara to cancer, he created the Thomson and Barbara Mpinganjira Foundation, pledging support to health, education, and vulnerable groups.
One of his most significant contributions is the International Blantyre Cancer Centre (IBCC), opened in 20
