Lilongwe – As the sun sets in most villages in Malawi, darkness brings anxiety for many, particularly school-going children. Only 23% of Malawi’s population has access to electricity. Many households rely on battery-powered torches, candles, and kerosene lamps for lighting. This struggle impacts daily life, security, and food preparation.
However, this situation is improving due to solar-powered lighting provided by the private sector with support from the World Bank and other impact investors. Rose John Soko from Shuga Village in Chiradzulu district installed a solar-powered lighting facility under the World Bank Malawi Electricity Access Project (MEAP). The project supports the Government of Malawi’s Off-Grid Market Development Fund (Ngwee Ngwee Ngwee Funding Mechanism), making solar power affordable for low-income households.
The Ngwee Ngwee Ngwee Fund provides working capital and grants to foster growth in the private sector-led off-grid solar market. MEAP has partnered with five leading solar companies in Malawi to provide solar home systems to one million people.
Soko's package includes four bulbs for her bedroom, sitting room, storeroom, and an outside light for security. Her system also features a built-in FM radio. “Biolite package is a fast-moving product in many villages here because of its price and the added accessory, the radio,” says Ungopanga Kanyemba, a sales agent for Yellow Solar in Chiradzulu.
Since November 2023, more than 50 households have benefitted from these packages under the Ngwee Ngwee Ngwee Fund. Customers can pay upfront or opt for monthly installments at a discounted price.
Junior Kalata from Sasu village no longer pays to charge his phone at marketplaces or buys batteries for his torch since installing his solar facility. Akimu Nasiyaya from Namputu village used to light his house using an old car battery but now enjoys hours of music without recharging it constantly thanks to his new solar-powered lighting system.
Supply Chirwa, Mulanje District Sales Officer for Zuwa Energy, reports selling around 50 solar packages monthly.
The $100 million Malawi Energy Access Project (MEAP) aims to provide electricity access to approximately 1.9 million people by June 2025. So far, over 140,000 households have been connected through both on-grid and off-grid solutions.
“The off-grid access rate has been on an exponential trajectory ever since this access sector picked up some seven years back through other similar development partner-supported access initiatives,” says Michael Gondwe, Senior Energy Specialist at the World Bank.
Off-grid access is critical due to the large rural population where electricity access is very low. Solar home systems are considered "kick starters" towards broader electricity access despite their limited capacity.
For Malawi, off-grid solutions play a crucial role in rapidly scaling up electricity access in remote areas where affordability remains a challenge.
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