Country Info

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.
Yellow Malawi has secured a $2 million investment from Acumen’s Hardest-to-Reach (H2R) initiative. The first $1 million tranche will be disbursed in US dollars, with repayments in Malawian Kwacha, supported by a TCX EU Market Creation Facility subsidy to lower hedging costs, while the second tranche will be disbursed and repaid in US dollars.
Africa’s first solar-powered tractor is undergoing field tests in Malawi. Experts say the hand-operated “Aftrak,” or Africa tractor, could help smallholder farmers improve crop yields. Lameck Masina reports from Mzimba district in northern Malawi.
Researchers at The University of Manchester have identified dangerous levels of lead pollution in Malawi due to informal recycling of lead-acid batteries from off-grid solar systems. Common informal recycling activities for lead-acid batteries used in solar energy systems were recorded to release 3.5-4.7 kg of lead pollution from a typical battery.
The Surg-Water team has worked collaboratively with a range of local partners in Malawi to develop a fit-for-purpose solution addressing the shortage of clean water in maternal health facilities in rural areas. The team has developed a prototype solar disinfector technology to treat harvested rainwater using renewable solar UV.
The reduced cost of solar electricity has made electricity access affordable even to low-income households. Off-Grid electricity is playing a critical role in rapidly scaling up electricity access in many households that are far from the national grid and where affordability remains a challenge.
Biogas can be made from food waste. GettyImages
In sub-Saharan Africa, over 600 million people (more than 50% of the population) are without access to electricity. Malawi has one of the world’s lowest electricity access rates – just 14.1% of the total population have access to the main grid. In rural areas, the electrification access rate is even lower, estimated at 5.6% in 2021.

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