Malawi, China sign mobile solar power deal
The governments of Malawi and China on Friday signed an agreement to fund mobile solar power systems worth about K5 billion for the health sector in the country.
Speaking during the signing ceremony in Lilongwe, Chinese Ambassador to Malawi Zhang Qingyang said the mobile solar power will ease power shortage in rural health facilities.
He noted that Malawi’s power grid only covers about nine percent of the country’s population and, as a result, most development activities are affected because of power shortage.
“I believe these solar systems will play an important role in improving lives of local people,” said Qingyang.
The Chinese Ambassador said last year, his government also donated 250 solar street lights and 533 sets of mobile solar systems, which were installed at Capital Hill and some were distributed to some of the country’s hospitals.
Minister of Finance Goodall Gondwe thanked the Chinese government for the donation which, he said, would go a long way in addressing electricity challenges the country is facing.
He noted that rural health centres played a critical role in the provision of basic health care;hence, the mobile solar power systems would be easy to use.
