Small scale business operators in Zomba say the district has the potential to achieve rapid socio-economic development if community trading centres have access to electricity.
Bimbi Trading Centre secretary Feston Zakaria said this on Friday when officials from Zomba District Council appreciated the impact of solar powered lights installed at the trading center under the Leveraging National Determined Contributions project.
He said before the solar lights were installed at the market, traders used to knock off around 6pm due to darkness.
But with the lights in place, Zakaria said trading hours have extended to 10pm.
“Previously, we used to make minimum profit of MK15000 per day, but with the extended hours, we make at MK25000,” he said.
Margret Banda, who sells vegetables at the market, said she used to spend money on batteries for torches for use at night.
“Traders are now using the money to boost their businesses and buying food for their homes,” she said.
Zomba District Council assistant trade officer Mphatso Chokani said the initiative is a stepping stone towards the attainment of an economically stable society.
He said that most people in rural areas are farmers and the provision of solar energy lighting to the community and trading centres can promote agricultural-related enterprise.
With support from the Japanese Government under the Japanese Supplementary Budget through the United Nations Development Programme and Malawi Government, the solar lighting initiative has been implemented at Songani, Bimbi, Namasalima, Sakata, Ngwalangwa, Namwera turn-off and Somba trading centres in the districts.
Source: The Nation-by Holyce Kholowa-Correspondent-July 16,2024