At the Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (Mubas) in Blantyre, the University Innovation Pod (UniPod) is redefining science and technology.
Launched a year ago, the innovation hub, powered by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) through the Timbuktoo initiative, is a beacon of change, seamlessly connecting bold ideas with tangible solutions that showcase how Malawian creativity can tackle global challenges head-on.
From Dreams to Reality
For electrical engineering lecturer Joseph Phiri, the facility signals a revolution.
“Before UniPod, many of our ideas remained just that—ideas—due to financial constraints,” he says. “Now, we have a place where we can turn them into tangible solutions that impact real communities.”
Phiri and his student, Emmanuel Malamba, are part of the UniPod Faculty-Student Programme, where they collaborate on groundbreaking projects.
Together, they are developing an intelligent electricity metering system for mini-grids. This innovation could make clean energy more affordable and reliable in off-grid communities, especially rural areas where only four percent have access to grid power.
Without effective metering and billing, these grids cannot generate enough revenue for maintenance and operation, leading to power failures that set communities back.
The innovators are developing a cost-effective solution.
“We noted that existing metering systems are too expensive for mini-grids because they are priced for large-scale utility companies,” says Phiri. “If we develop this technology locally, the costs will drop significantly, making sustainable energy affordable for rural communities.”
Powered by experience
Growing up in rural Nkhotakota, Malamba, 27, lived without electricity.
Walking long distances to school, studying without electricity and lacking role models in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (Stem), Malamba defied the odds to become a living proof that local talent can create solutions that change the world.
Today, as a master’s student in sustainable energy, he is optimistic that the smart metering system could revolutionse rural mini-grid operations.
“In rural areas, communities often struggle to sustain mini-grids because they lack proper metering systems,” he says. “With UniPod’s support, we have designed a system that allows people to pay only for the energy they use, ensuring financial sustainability for these projects.”
Malamba says the UniPod is for everyone, “anyone with a dream to create and innovate.”
For him,everything is possible.
“If I could make it here, so can many others,” he says.
His work at innovation hub is inspiring others to break barriers.
Unipod manager Francis Masi has witnessed a surge of interest from grassroots innovators, private sector players and even students from primary and secondary schools.
“The response has been overwhelming,” he says. “We’ve had innovators from Kasungu and Blantyre working on energy solutions and even schoolchildren touring the facility.”
He believes a child who sees a 3D printer in action today will grow up knowing that they, too, can build something revolutionary.”
The collaborative programme gives university researchers and their students a platform to transform academic findings into viable products.
For too long, groundbreaking research in Malawi remained confined to academic journals and library shelves.
Empowering Women
At 25, Hope Khasu is among young women breaking barriers in electrical and electronics engineering at UniPod.
The electrical and electronic technician designs and develops printed circuit boards while training young innovators on diverse projects.
Her bragging rights include her involvement in developing a locally manufactured radio. The defining moment came when the radio successfully played sound across different frequencies, marking a significant milestone in her career.
“Most people only see the final product, but there were countless versions of the radio. A lot of thought went into every detail, even the placement of the speakers,” she shares with pride.
Tackling challenges
Despite its success, UniPod faces funding challenges as most operations depend on UNDP support.
The hub is exploring revenue-generating enterprise services, including offering contract fabrication for private companies.
“We want to ensure that even if development partners’ funding stops, UniPod remains self-sustaining,” Masi explains. “Our vision is to be an innovation powerhouse that drives economic growth, job creation, and technology transfer in Malawi.”
Additionally, many people believe UniPod is exclusively for university students, deterring grassroots innovators from stepping through its doors.
The UniPod team has intensified its outreach efforts to engage rural communities, hosting innovation camps beyond Blantyre.
“We don’t want expertise to remain in the hands of a few. By training more Malawians, we are building a workforce capable of creating, maintaining, and expanding our country’s technological capacity.”
As UniPod Malawi celebrates its first anniversary, its message is loud and clear: Africa is not just consuming innovation; it is creating it and the world is noticing the ingenuity emerging from Malawi’s small but mighty hub.
“This space belongs to all Malawians,” says Phiri. “If you have an idea, come. If you’re curious, visit. The future of innovation in Malawi starts here.”
