The United States African Develpment Foundation (USadf), in partnership with Power AfricaInitiative, has given Lilongwe-based energy groups grants of about K74 million each to boost energy access in their communities.
The grants meant to assist the two off-grid energy enterprises, Tikondane Women Savings and Credit Association and Green Impact Technologies, with a working capital and technical support.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, USadf country programme coordinator Lynda Jere said the grants seek to help local organisations to create and sustain jobs, improve income levels and address their development needs.
She said: “When communities are economically empowered, the country also develops. This is what we aime to achieve as USadf. We want Malawians to have access to sustainable energy.”
Tikondane Women group chairperson Joyce Ng;ambi said the group has been facing a lot of challenges when it comes to sustainable energy. “Our area does not have electricity and it is our hope that through this group the community will now have a solar generated power as we will be selling the equipment,” she said.
Green Impact Technologies managing director Admore chiumia said his company will now connect about 100 000 solar home systems by 2020 as planned.
From the grant, Green Impact says it is expected to increase access to affordable and sustainable off-grid electricity to atleast 1, 540 households in Lilongwe, Kasungu and Dedza districts.
On the other, Malingunde-based Tikondane expects to increase access to sustainable and affordable electricity to 841 households within the area.
Source: The Nation_Tuesday, 2 April, 2019_By Angella Phiri-Staff Reporter