Ideally, subsidizing larger and more durable systems for household use would translate into greater social impact in productive uses of solar power beyond lighting and phone charging, he says. This would also help reduce waste that is accumulated through the replacement rate of successive small-scale solar products.

A UK-based charity has installed solar photovoltaic systems in all 9,000 households of a rural village in Malawi, Kasakula.The nonprofit has trained local technicians to maintain the systems — and says it retrieves damaged or retired batteries or other components for now, as no system for safely recycling these exists in Malawi.

Beyond creating jobs, reliable energy access enables new livelihoods – powering everything from barbershops and radio stations to farms and restaurants. Malawi is proving that clean energy and economic growth can go hand in hand, opening doors for the next generation.

More households and small businesses across Malawi could soon benefit from affordable renewable energy, thanks to a partnership between NBS Bank Plc and the Renewable Energy Industry Association of Malawi (REIAMA) focused on expanding access to clean power.

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.

Agriculture is the backbone of Malawi’s economy, employing around 80% of the population and contributing about one-third to the country’s gross domestic product. Despite its importance, the agricultural sector faces several critical challenges, including high post-harvest losses, limited irrigation, and poor access to reliable electricity.