US agency gives groups K74m energy grants
The United States African Development Foundation (USadf), in partnership with Power Africa Initiative, has given two Lilongwe-based energy groups grants of about K74 million each to boost energy access in their communities.
The grants are meant to assist the two off-grid energy enterprises, Tikondane Women Savings and Credit Association and Green Impact Technologies, with 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 aim 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 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 at least 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 at least 841 households within the area. n
