Country Info

Malawi

For decades, vaccine storage in Malawi depended on unreliable refrigeration systems running on kerosene, gas, or battery power. Solar direct-drive refrigerators changed this dynamic completely. Unlike older models requiring backup batteries or stable electrical grids, these units connect directly to solar panels and store energy.
In March 2024, Malawi declared a State of Disaster in 23 of its 28 districts due to severe drought caused by El Niño. A solar-powered water system installed by UNICEF with funding from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) has made safe water more accessible for women and children here – sorely needed in drought-stricken Malawi.
In 2020 researchers at the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR) trialed a solar-powered milking device and water pumping system at Mbendera’s farm in the Dedza district of central Malawi. Since then, farmers who tested the technology, have seen improvements in efficiency, milk produced, and quality of life.

Latest Documents

Understanding the drivers of electricity access and willingness to pay for reliable electricity in African refugee settlements: Evidence from Zambia, Malawi, and Uganda