Minister of Energy Jean Mathanga has hailed the impact of the Energising Development (EnDev) programme, saying it has provided modern energy solutions to 2.4 million Malawians over the past 14 years.
She said on Thursday in Lilongwe during the EnDev High-Level Impact and Portfolio Development Dialogue that the programme has played a key role in expanding access to electricity and clean cooking solutions, while supporting the development of sustainable energy markets.
Implemented by the German Government through Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), the multi-donor-funded programme focuses on off-grid solar energy, clean cooking technologies and the productive use of energy.
Mathanga said the programme has demonstrated the transformative role of energy in driving economic development.
“EnDev has demonstrated that energy access is not an end in itself. When energy is connected to agriculture, businesses, health and other productive sectors, it becomes an important driver of economic transformation,” she said.
Mathanga said government will continue working with development partners and other stakeholders to create an enabling environment for scaling up sustainable energy solutions.
“Government values the partnership and the evidence generated through EnDev and will continue working with stakeholders to strengthen the enabling environment and scale sustainable energy solutions,” she said.
German Ambassador Ute Koenig said the programme focuses on addressing affordability barriers to energy technologies, particularly improved cookstoves and solar products.
She said the programme leaves behind stronger energy markets, enhanced private sector capacity, strategic partnerships and technical expertise as it transitions from its current Malawi phase to a regional programme.
“The next phase comes at a critical time for Malawi as the country seeks to strengthen energy security, attract investment and advance national development priorities under Malawi 2063, the National Energy Policy and its climate commitments,” said Koenig.
She said Germany will continue supporting the energy access sector through the newly commissioned Engage programme, which aims to accelerate Africa’s transition to accessible renewable energy in partnership with the African Union.
Since its launch in 2012, EnDev has connected about 240 000 people to electricity and provided 2.2 million people with modern cooking solutions, including more than 1.2 million women and girls.
The programme has also supported 190 social institutions and 804 micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, while contributing to emissions reductions equivalent to 56 000 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide.
EnDev has been implemented by GIZ in partnership with the Malawi Government since 2012 to promote sustainable access to modern energy services, including clean cooking, off-grid solar solutions and productive energy use. The programme is funded by Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and Switzerland.
