Agriculture is the lifeblood of Malawi’s economy.
It accounts for 30 percent of the country’s GDP and supports over 80% of the population. However, climate change threatens the livelihood of smallholder farmers.
Rising temperatures, erratic rainfall and increasingly frequent floods affect agricultural productivity amid rapid population growth, deforestation and soil erosion.
Despite this uncertainty, there is hope. Green Impact Technologies, a youth-led enterprise founded by Joyce Sikwese and Admore Chiumia, is empowering farmers with sustainable, climate-smart solutions.
Sikwese grew up in a rural setting without access to electricity, relying on dim firelight and expensive batteries to study.
Motivated by her own experiences, Sikwese partnered with Chiumia in 2017 to provide renewable energy and sustainable agricultural tools available to those who need them most.
Their offerings include solar home systems, water pumps, organic fertilisers and clean cooking technologies like liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and biogas.
“Our goal is not just to provide green energy, but to foster economic development, improve health, and enhance education,” she says.
By giving households access to solar home systems, children can study after sunset, farmers can pump water to irrigate crops and businesses can store perishable food in solar- powered fridges.
Award-winning
In 2022, the firm won the prestigious African Youth Adaptation Solutions Challenge (YouthAdapt Challenge), an annual competition organized by the Global Centre on Adaptation (GCA), the African Development Bank and Climate Investment Funds (CIF) under the Africa Adaptation Acceleration Programme (AAAP).
The award shines a spotlight on youth-led enterprises that are making a difference in climate adaptation across Africa.
Sikwese’s team used the platform to amplify their impact and inspire young African entrepreneurs to pursue similar initiatives. From solar water pumps that boost agricultural productivity to organic fertilisers that regenerate soil health, their products are designed to address the unique challenges faced by rural farmers and the benefits are tangible.
Solar home systems allow children to continue their studies after dark, improving education outcomes and opening doors to future opportunities.
The solar-powered pumps help farmers irrigate their fields, increasing crop yields and providing a reliable income stream.
So does the solar fridges for business that reduce food waste, allowing farmers and entrepreneurs to earn more by extending the shelf life of perishable goods.
Cleaner Cooking
By switching to LPG, families reduce their exposure to harmful smoke from traditional biomass fuels, improving health outcomes and reducing deforestation.
“Affordability, awareness and cultural resistance are a few hurdles,” said Sikwese.
Many rural households have limited incomes, making even affordable technologies seem out of reach without financing options.
Besides, raising public awareness around modern energy solutions and supply chains in remote areas is not easy.
Despite these challenges, Green Impact Technologies remains steadfast. Through innovative business models, strong partnerships and perseverance, they have expanded their reach and continue to bring positive change to underserved Communities.
Scaling up impact
The international recognition and resources gained from winning the YouthAdapt Challenge have been a game-changer.
The $100 000 grant allowed the social enterprise to increase their production of organic fertilisers and expand their distribution of solar water pumps.
The mentorship they received also proved invaluable, guiding them on everything from scaling operations to measuring their social impact.
“With the funds, we have boosted our capacity to deliver organic fertilisers to more farmers, helping them combat soil degradation and improve their resilience to drought,” says Chiumia.
The next step? A new organic fertiliser production machine that will dramatically increase their ability to meet the growing demand for sustainable soil solutions across Malawi.
The green technologies are not just transforming agriculture in the country, but also lighting the way for a future where rural communities can thrive in the face of climate change.
Sikwese has a word to young African entrepreneurs with big dreams. “Immerse yourself in the communities you want to serve, be resilient in the face of challenges, and never underestimate the power of mentorship and collaboration. Start small but think big.
“The journey may not be easy, but the rewards for you and the people you serve are worth every step.”
Source: The nation-Enxhi Hoxh-GCA.org-1 October 2024.